Modulation of PGE2 generation in the diabetic embryo: effect of nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase

In this work we assessed NO levels in the control and diabetic embryo during early organogenesis, and the ability of NO and SOD to modify embryonic PGE2 levels. Rats were made diabetic by steptozotocin (60 mg/kg) before mating. Diabetic embryos (day 10 of gestation) show increased nitrate/nitrite levels and enhanced NOS activity. The diabetic embryos release to the incubation medium increased amounts of PGE2 and have diminished PGE2 content. In the control embryo NO modulates PGE2 levels, but this modulatory pathway is not observed in the diabetic embryos. The diminished PGE2 content and the enhanced PGE2 release is prevented by SOD additions, both in the diabetic embryos and in control embryos cultured in the presence of diabetic serum (24 h culture, explantation day 9). The present results show that SOD additions prevent the abnormalities in the accumulation, production and release of PGE2 in diabetic embryos, probably related to the decrease in malformations.