Aim To investigate the lipid membranes of rat enterocytes in chronic carrageenan-induced gastroenterocolitis accompanied by the activation of apoptotic processes. Methods Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy: a study by fluorescent probes - by ortho-hydroxy derivatives of 2,5-diaryl-1,3- oxazole. Activity of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in small intestinal homogenates, blood serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and caspase-3 and the level of DNA fragmentation in small intestinal homogenates were determined. Results Biochemical analysis revealed that an activation of apoptotic processes occurred in the intestinal epithelium of rats during chronic carrageenan-induced gastroenterocolitis. The fluorescence probes showed that activation of apoptotic processes in carrageenan-induced gastroenterocolitis was accompanied by changes in polar regions of rat enterocyte membranes, while no changes were revealed in more hydrophobic regions of the membranes. Conclusion The increase in hydration of membranes was attributed to the activation of the apoptosis of enterocytes. It has been shown that a fluorescent probe (2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole) can be used for the detection of apoptosis of enterocytes.
Keywords: apoptosis; caspases; food additives; inflammation; rats.
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