Protective effects of L-arginine on rat terminal ileum subjected to ischemia/reperfusion.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) may play a major role in sustaining mucosal integrity; however, NO has been also implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-related tissue injury. We investigated the effects of L-arginine and NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the acetylcholine-induced contractile response of ileum and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histopathological changes were also evaluated in ileal preparations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Male Wistar Albino rats were subjected to mesenteric ischemia (30 min) followed by reperfusion (3 hours). Four groups were designed: sham-operated control; I/R; I/R and L-arginine pretreatment; and I/R and L-NAME pretreatment. After reperfusion, ileum specimens were collected to determine the parameters mentioned above.

RESULTS:

Following reperfusion, a significant decrease in acetylcholine-induced contractile response, an increase in lipid peroxidation, a decrease in GSH content, and mucosal damage of the ileal preparations were observed. We showed that decreased contractility, increased lipid peroxidation, and reduced GSH content have been reversed by L-arginine but not by L-NAME. Mucosal injury was significantly lowered in the L-arginine group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment with L-arginine exerted a protective effect in intestinal I/R injury, which was mediated in part by regulating MDA and GSH levels, consequently ameliorating impaired contractile response and mucosal injury.

• Authors: Hale Sayan, V Haktan Ozacmak, Semsi Altaner, R Gulhan Aktas, S Oktay Arslan
• Journal: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr) Vol. 46 Issue 1 Pg. 29-35 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 1536-4801 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18162830 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Malondialdehyde
• Arginine
• Glutathione
• Acetylcholine
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester

Topics

• Acetylcholine (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Arginine (administration & dosage)
• Glutathione (analysis)
• Ileum (blood supply, pathology, physiopathology)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (analysis)
• Muscle Contraction (drug effects)
• NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (administration & dosage)
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Reperfusion Injury (physiopathology, prevention & control)