Transcriptional changes in organism and muscles especially during development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still highly understudied. Role of p38 MAPK activation during MetS is highly debatable.

The aim of this study is to evaluate influence of administration of selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK on production and metabolism of nitric oxide in rat biceps femoris during metabolic syndrome modelling.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 24 mature male Wistar rats weighing 200–260 g, which were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each: I – control group; II – MetS (received 20 % fructose for 60 days); III – SB203580 administration (received SB203580 intraperitoneally in a dose 2 mg/kg once every 3 days for 60 days); IV –SB203580 + MetS modelling. We studied activity of enzymes responsible for NOS-dependent and NOS-independent NO production and content of nitrites, peroxynitrites and nitrosothiols in rat biceps femoris.

Results. MetS modelling increased production of nitric oxide from NO-synthases and nitrtate-nitrite reductive pathway, elevated content of nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite, while SB203580 during MetS modelling attenuated these changes in production of nitric oxide and nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite content.

Conclusions. P38 MAPK activation during MetS modelling increases NOS-dependent and NOS-independent NO production and leads to accumulation of nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite in rat biceps femoris.