Changes of serum nitric oxide in CB4V-induced insulin-dependent diabetic mice

AIM: To observe the changes of serum nitric oxide and the production level of IL-1 in different period of coxsackievirus B4 (CB₄V)-induced insulin-dependent diabetic mice.METHODS: The insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) animal model induced by CB₄V infection was established. Serum nitric oxide level was estimated by nitrate reductase method after infection 72 h,1 week, 3 weeks,6 weeks,8 weeks, respectively. At the same time, level of IL-1 produced by peritoneal Mф was measued.RESULTS: (1) Changes of serum nitric oxide: serum nitric oxide level in control group remained normal level. The serum nitric oxide level in diabetic group increased significantly at 72 h after infection(P＜0.01), and reached top at 1 weeks after infection, then decreased to normal level in 6 and 8 weeks (P＞0.05). (2) IL-1 activities: IL-1 activities were increased obviously from 72 h to 3 weeks after virus infection, but decreased to normal level after 6 weeks.CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide may be one of the important factors in the development of CB₄V-induced IDDM.