Effect of an inhibitor of nitric oxide production on Cu-Zn/SOD and its cofactors in diabetic rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an inhibitor of nitric oxide production, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) on Cu-Zn/SOD (superoxide dismutase) enzyme activity and copper and zinc concentrations in diabetes-induced rats. The control group consisted of 12 male albino Sprague-Dawley rats, 10-12 wk of age and weighing 300 g. Twenty-six albino Sprague-Dawley rats, 10-12 wk of age and weighing 315 g, constituted the experimental group. The experimental group was divided into two groups. The first group (n=12) constituted streptozotocininduced (55 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) diabetic rats and the second group (n=14) was administered L-NAME (1 mg/kg/d) after streptozotocin induction. For determination of Cu-Zn/SOD activity, spectrophotometry was used. Zinc and copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that Cu-Zn/SOD activity was increased significantly in both experimental groups compared to controls, and the increase in the second group was higher than in the first group (p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05). Plazma zinc concentration was increased in the second group when compared with controls (p<0.05). Plasma copper was decreased significantly in the second group compared to controls and the first group (p<0.001, p<0.001). Red cell copper concentration was decreased significantly in the first group compared to controls (p<0.05). This study showed that L-NAME administration has ensured an additive effect on the antioxidant defense system, which was proved by the increase in Cu-Zn/SOD activity. This increase might have a protective effect against tissue damage in the acute period, with corresponding changes in zinc and copper concentrations.
Kocatürk
Pelin Aribal
PA
Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Kavas
Güzin Ozelçi
GO
D000818:Animals; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D003067:Coenzymes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013311:Streptozocin; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester