title: An unexpected interaction between NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and L-arginine in alpha-naphthylthiourea-induced pulmonary oedema in rats.
abstract: This study was designed to investigate the possible participation of the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the lung oedema induced by alpha-naphthylthiourea, which is a well-known noxious chemical agent in the lung. Lung oedema was assessed by measuring fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity and the lung weight/body weight ratio following alpha-naphthylthiourea injection. Administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a NO synthase inhibitor, prior to alpha-naphthylthiourea, produced a significant inhibition of pleural effusion and lung weight/body weight ratio in a dose-dependent manner. L-Arginine, but not D-arginine, when used higher doses (above 300 mg/kg) prior to alpha-naphthylthiourea injection caused a significant inhibition of pleural effusion without altering lung weight/body weight ratio. Lower doses of L-arginine (below 100 mg/kg) did not elicit an inhibitory effect against alpha-naphthylthiourea-induced pulmonary damage. However, lower doses of L-arginine greatly potentiated the inhibitory effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester against alpha-naphthylthiourea-induced lung oedema when used in combination. The interesting aspect of this study is the inhibition by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a NO synthase inhibitor, and L-arginine, an endogenous donor of NO, of the lung oedema induced by alpha-naphthylthiourea. The possible role of the L-arginine-NO pathway in lung oedema induced by alpha-naphthylthiourea and the possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sipahi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hodoğlugil
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ustün
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zengil
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Türker
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Ercan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013890:Thiourea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D013890:Thiourea; C005277:alpha-naphthyl thiourea; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester