Blood purine and energy status in rats with colitis.

Colitis reduces the blood and tissue levels of adenosine deaminase and adenylate deaminase. Whether this has any effect on blood purines remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to measure the adenylate pool, substrates of the above enzymes, and energy status in blood from rats with colitis. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of acetic acid and followed 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 estimated. Myeloperoxidase was used as a marker of colitis. Concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP and adenosine decreased during days 1-5, whereas energy status decreased on day 2. The concentrations of inosine, uric acid, and hemoglobin remained unaltered, whereas colonic myeloperoxidase activity increased. These, findings demonstrate colitis-induced reduction of the circulating purines, which may be due to their enhanced usage for the repair of the inflamed colon.