Objective      To observe the changes of nitric oxide

endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in gastric antrum tissue and soluble endothelial cell protein C receptor (sEPCR) in the serum in the diabetic rats

and to investigate the relationship of the gastric motility change and gastric vasculopathy in the early stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus.       Methods      A total of 25 male SPF SD rats were first divided random in two groups: control group (NC

n=10) and diabetic mellitus group (DM

n=15). The rats in the DM gr

oup were fed with fat- and caloric-rich diet and induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After the induction

13 rats were finally identified as DM rats. At 12 weeks

gastric emptying (GET

1/2

) and gastric emptying rate were measured in NC groups and DM groups by single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to examine the serum level of sEPCR. NO in gastric antrum tissue was detected by nitrate reductase

and eNOS observation in the gastric tissue was measured by immunohistochemical assay.       Results      The gastric emptying

gastric NO content

and mean density of eNOS were significantly lower in DM group (30.82±12.56 min

30.82±12.56 μmol/L and 0.36±0.15

respectively) than in NC group (P0.05). While the serum level of sEPCR was significantly higher in DM group (129.45±4.83 μg/L) than in NC group (P0.01).       Conclusion      Our results indicate that gastric emptying is accelerated in the early stages of DM. In this stage

vascular endothelium is impaired

and thus results in gastric motility disorders.