Background: ADP-ribosyl pyrophosphatases (ADPRase) has been known to catalyze the hydrolysis of ADP-ribose to ribose-5-phosphate and AMP. The role of ADPRase has been suggested to sanitize the cell by removing potentially toxic ADP-ribose. In this study, we examined the effect of nitric oxide on ADPRase activity in macrophages. Methods: ADPRase activity was measured in NO-inducing J774 cells. For in vitro experiments, recombinant human ADPRase was prepared in bacteria. Results: ADPRase activity was increased by the treatment of exogenous NO generating reagent, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), in J774 cells. The increased ADPRase activity was mediated by the post-translational modification, likely to cause cADP-ribosylation via nitrosylation of cysteine residue on the enzyme. The stimulation with endogeneous NO inducers, $TNF-{alpha}/IFN-{gamma}$, also increased ADPRase activity through NO synthesis. Futhermore, ADPRase activity may be mediated by the post-translational modification of ADPRase, ADP-ribosylation. Conclusion: These results indicate that NO synthesized by macrophage activation plays a critical role in the increase in ADPRase activity following ADP-ribose metabolism.