Localization and activity of nitric oxide synthases in the gastrointestinal tract of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice.
Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is associated with gastrointestinal abnormalities. Since nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be a factor influencing intestinal function we evaluated the distributions and activities of the NO synthase (NOS) isoforms, in the gut of mice infected with T. cruzi. Ca2+-dependent (NOS1/NOS3) activity was decreased, whereas Ca2+-independent (NOS2) activity was increased in infected mice. NOS2-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in cells within the muscle layers and epithelium in infected mice and NOS1 immunoreactivity was seen in nerve structures. These data indicate that alterations in the NO-system may be important in the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal manifestations in Chagas' disease.
Ny
L
L
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
Persson
K
K
Larsson
B
B
Chan
J
J
Weiss
L M
LM
Wittner
M
M
Huang
H
H
Tanowitz
H B
HB
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002956:Citrulline / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003106:Colon / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007082:Ileum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013270:Stomach / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D019335:Nitroarginine; D002956:Citrulline; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496321:Nos1 protein, mouse; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C496315:Nos3 protein, mouse; D002118:Calcium