Effects of simultaneous pharmacological inhibition of cystathionine gamma-lyase and nitric oxide synthase on food and water intake, body mass gain, and body temperature in rats

Abstract

Various studies have emphasized the intricate relationship between hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) in regulating diverse physiological processes. In this investigation, we aimed to elucidate the effects of simultaneous inhibition of the H2S-producing enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase and the NO-producing enzyme nitric oxide synthase on food and water intake, body mass gain and body temperature in rats. Specifically, we explored the combined impact of dl-propargylglycine, an irreversible inhibitor of cystathionine γ-lyase, and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, on these physiological parameters. Co-administration of dl-propargylglycine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and l-NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) effectively suppressed food intake and body mass gain in fasted rats at 24 hours post-injection, accompanied by a notable decrease in water intake. Furthermore, this combined treatment induced a significant decline in body temperature at 90, 120, and 150 minutes post-injection compared to the control group, shedding light on the complex role of H2S and NO systems in modulating body temperature regulation. These findings enhance our understanding of the potential physiological implications of targeting the cystathionine γ-lyase/H2S and nitric oxide synthase/NO pathways.

Keywords

• dl-propargylglycine
• enzyme inhibitor
• gaseous med