Abstract
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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arginine / metabolism
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Calcium / physiology
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Chagas Disease / enzymology*
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Chagas Disease / pathology
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Citrulline / biosynthesis
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Colon / enzymology
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Colon / pathology
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Digestive System / enzymology*
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Digestive System / pathology
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Epithelial Cells / enzymology
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Esophagus / enzymology*
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Esophagus / pathology
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Female
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Ileum / enzymology
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Ileum / pathology
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Intestinal Mucosa / enzymology
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Isoenzymes / analysis
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Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
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Isoenzymes / metabolism*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C3H
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Muscle, Smooth / enzymology
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / analysis
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Nitroarginine / pharmacology
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Stomach / enzymology
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Stomach / pathology
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Trypanosoma cruzi*
Substances
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Isoenzymes
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Nitroarginine
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Citrulline
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Arginine
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Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Nos1 protein, mouse
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Nos2 protein, mouse
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Nos3 protein, mouse
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Calcium