Effects of chronic mild hyperhomocysteinemia on nitric oxide in rats

  Objective   The influence of experimental chronic mild hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy)induced by diets supplemented with methione or deficient in folic acid on the formation and metabolism of nitric oxide(NO)in was investigated in rats.

  Methods   SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 12, which were control group, high methione group and folic acid deficient group.After 14 weeks, the levels of plasma total homocysteine(Hcy), the contents of NO and malonyldialdehyde (MDA)in serum, the activity of aortic nitric oxide synthase(NOS)and the expression of nitrot yrosine(NT)in aorta were determined.

  Results   HHcy was induced successfully by diets supplemented with methione or deficient in folic acid.There were no significant differences in the levels of serum NO and the activity of arotic NOS among the groups.The contents of serum MDA and aortic NT in 2 hyperhomo cysteinemic group rats were significantly higher than those of the control group.

  Conclusion   Oxidative inactiv ation of NO to produce peroxynitrite decreased the biological activity of NO in chronic mild hyperhomocysteinemic rats induced by diets but its production was not affected.