Inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat neutrophils: role of insulin.
Defective leukocyte-endothelial interactions are observed in experimental diabetes mellitus. Endogenous substances, including nitric oxide (NO), have anti-inflammatory effects within the vasculature by reducing leukocyte adherence to post-capillary venules. The purpose of this study was to examine the activity and expression of NO synthase in neutrophils from alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Glycogen-elicited peritoneal neutrophils were obtained from diabetic rats and matching controls 10, 30, and 180 days after alloxan (42 mg/kg, i.v.) or saline injection. NO synthase activity was determined by the [3H]L-citrulline assay method. Expression of the enzyme was investigated by western blot analysis. Relative to controls, neutrophils obtained from diabetic rats presented a 2-fold increase in the activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), accompanied by an increase in the expression of the enzyme depicted by western blot. Treatment of diabetic animals with NPH insulin (2 IU/day, for 3 days) reduced both the activity and expression of iNOS to normal levels. Results presented suggest that overexpression of the inducible isoform of NO synthase by neutrophils may be responsible, at least in part, for the defects in leukocyte-endothelial interactions in diabetes mellitus.
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Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900, SP, São Paulo, Brazil.
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D000496:Alloxan; D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D007328:Insulin; D000496:Alloxan; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat