The Indices of Nitric Oxide System in Rats with Carrageenan-Induced Enterocolitis Combined with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a considerable public health issue, being one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the modern societies. Chronic hyperglycemia is accompanied by significant physiological, biochemical, and histological changes, e.g. development of oxidative stress that affects the motor activity of the intestine. This study aimed to evaluate the indices of nitric oxide (NO) system in blood serum and colon tissue supernatant of rats with carrageenan-induced enterocolitis combined with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Material and methods: The total NOS activity was determined by monitoring the rate of conversion of L-arginine into citrulline. The total quantity of NO metabolites was assessed by evaluating their amount, which included nitrite ions that were initially present in the sample (NO2 −) and nitrate ions reducted to nitrites (NO3 −). Results: We found a significant increase in total NOS activity in colon tissue of all experimental groups vs. control animals (54.8, 30.6 and 79.2 % respectively). The total content of NO metabolites in colon tissue of all experimental groups also significantly increased (2.8, 1.9 and 3.4 times respectively) compared to the control animals. Conclusions: We observed activation of nitroxydergic process in blood serum and colon tissue of rats with carrageenan-induced enterocolitis. Nitroxydergic processes markedly intensified in rats with carrageenan-induced enterocolitis combined with diabetes mellitus.