[Effect of dietary arginine supplementation on wound healing and the relationship between dose and response in burn rats].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the dose-effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation on burn wound healing.


METHODS
The effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation was studied in rats with deep thickness burn (10% TBSA). The time for epithelization of burn wound was determined. Photography of burn wound was taken for measuring percentage of burn wound healing area. Biopsies of burn wound were taken for measuring the content of hydroxyproline, the ratio between type I and type III collagen, and dermal cell cycle.


RESULTS
Supplemental dietary L-arginine after burn in rats shortened the time for epithelization of burn wound, increased the content of hydroxyproline, decreased the ratio between type I and type III collagen, elevated the DNA content of dermis. Supplemental dietary L-arginine in the dose of 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) was more effective than any other, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and 800 mg kg(-1) x d(-1) showed no beneficial effect on the healing of burn wound.


CONCLUSIONS
Suitable L-arginine supplementation can enhance burn wound healing in rats.
Chen
X
X
Department of Burn, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025.
Lu
S
S
Xu
W
W
Chen
Z
Z
Shi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D003094:Collagen; D001120:Arginine