Chronic toxicity of methylamine on cardiovascular endothelium of rabbits / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM To study whether chronic administration of methylamine may induce elevation of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity and initiate the injury of cardiovascular endothelium. METHODS New Zealand rabbits were treated with methylamine hydrochloride (100 mg·kg-1) by ig, once a day for 6 months. The rabbits were weighed every other week and the dosage was adjusted according to the body weight. The number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in the arterial blood, nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the serum and ultrastructure of endothelial cells of aorta were assessed. The plasma SSAO activity and formaldehyde concentration were assessed by liquid chromatography. RESULTS The number of CEC, NO concentration, levels of SSAO activity and formaldehyde concentration in the methylamine group were increased significantly, compared with the control group. Ultrastructure of endothelial cells in the methylamine group showed inordinate morphological changes (multiple intranuclear inclusions, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis). CONCLUSIONChronic administration of methylamine can induce the elevation of SSAO activity and initiate the injury of cardiovascular endothelium.