Effects of L-arginine on the kidney levels of malondialdehyde in rats submitted to renal ischaemia-reperfusion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of L-arginine, a nitric oxide donor, on kidney levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a product of cellular lipid peroxidation), serum creatinine levels, and urinary volume in rats undergoing unilateral renal ischaemia-reperfusion.


METHODS
Wistar rats (117) were randomly distributed into three experimental groups (of four subgroups each) in which were assessed renal cell-lipid peroxidation (kidney levels of MDA), serum creatinine levels and urinary volume. The rats underwent unilateral nephrectomy followed by contralateral renal ischaemia-reperfusion with or with no pretreatment with L-arginine (200 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally.


RESULTS
Pretreatment with L-arginine caused significantly higher kidney levels of MDA than in the untreated group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, L-arginine given before surgery attenuated the increase in serum creatinine and significantly increased urinary volume in rats subjected to renal ischaemia-reperfusion (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
L-arginine tended to be of benefit for renal function during renal ischaemia-reperfusion in rats. Pretreatment with L-arginine (200 mg/kg intraperitoneally) seems to increase the renal damage by increasing kidney levels of MDA.
Rhoden
E L
EL
Department of General Surgery, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Santa Casa de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil CEP 90450-140. ernanirh@terra.com.br
Lucas
M L
ML
Pereira-Lima
L
L
Rhoden
C R
CR
Souto
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015424:Reperfusion; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000378:metabolism*
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001120:Arginine; D003404:Creatinine