Blood purine and energy status in rats with colitis

Colitis reduces the blood and tissue levels of adenosine deaminase and aden ylate deaminase. Whether this has any effect on blood purines remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to measure the adenylate pool, subst rates of the above enzymes, and energy status in blood from rats with colit is. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of acetic acid and fo llowed over a period of seven days. The levels of ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine, inosine, and uric acid were analyzed by HPLC, and energy status was estima ted. Myeloperoxidase was used as a marker of colitis. Concentrations of ATP , ADP, AMP and adenosine decreased during days 1-5, whereas energy status d ecreased on day 2. The concentrations of inosine, uric acid, and hemoglobin remained unaltered, whereas colonic myeloperoxidase activity increased. Th ese, findings demonstrate colitis-induced reduction of the circulating puri nes, which may be due to their enhanced usage for the repair of the inflame d colon.