Alloxan diabetes regulates adenosine deaminase activity in mice: tissue- and age-specific correlation.

Effect of alloxan induced diabetes on the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was studied in the liver, spleen, stomach and small intestine of mice at two different postnatal ages (preweaned, 15-day and postweaned, 60-day). Alloxan significantly stimulates (133%) ADA activity in the liver of 15-day old mice, while it has no significant effect in the 60-day old animals. In contrast, ADA activity was moderately increased (25%) in spleen of both the ages. However, no significant influence of alloxan was observed on ADA activity of stomach at either age of mice. On the other hand, alloxan treatment increases (69%) intestinal ADA activity in 15-day old mice, with no significant change in 60-day old animals. Thus, alloxan diabetes increases ADA activity in an age- and tissue-specific manner. Stimulation of ADA activity in diabetic mice might play role in immune and other metabolic dysfunctions in diabetic conditions.