Objective: To explore the influences of milk or coenzyme Q(10) pretreatment to acrylonitrile on vascular endothelial functions in rats.
Methods: A total of 80 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (Con), acrylonitrile exposure group (ACN), milk pretreatment group (M + ACN) and coenzyme Q(10) pretreatment group (Q(10) + ACN). The experiment was conducted by the method of gavage exposure in rats. Control group was exposed to corn oil; acrylonitrile was administered to other three groups at the doses of 25 mg/kg. The M + ACN and Q(10) + ACN groups were pretreated by milk or coenzyme Q(10) at 30 minutes before acrylonitrile exposure. After a 12-week exposure, the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured in serum and aortal tissues.
Results: As compared with Con group [(21.9 ± 1.6) U/ml], the activity of blood serum iNOS was higher in ACN, M + ACN and Q(10) + ACN groups [(42.9 ± 2.5) U/ml, (26.5 ± 4.4) U/ml, (26.7 ± 3.3) U/ml, P < 0.05]. As compared with Con group [(0.540 ± 0.028) U/mg protein], the activity of aortal iNOS was higher in ACN, M + ACN and Q(10) + ACN groups [(0.812 ± 0.008), (0.773 ± 0.019), (0.622 ± 0.013) U/mg protein, (P < 0.05)]. Furthermore the activity of aortal eNOS in Q(10) + ACN group [(0.471 ± 0.011) U/mg protein] was higher than Con, ACN or M + ACN group [(0.371 ± 0.029), (0.380 ± 0.016), (0.425 ± 0.020) U/mg protein, P < 0.05].
Conclusion: Chronic administration of ACN by gavages results in vascular endothelial dysfunctions. Milk and coenzyme Q(10) pretreatment reduce this effect in rats.