[L-arginine decreases P-selectin expression in traumatic shock].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of P-selectin distribution in the vital organs and plasma during traumatic shock and explore the significance of these changes.


METHODS
Twenty-four normal SD rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=8), namely traumatic shock group, L-arginine (L-Arg) treatment and control group. The rats in the former 2 groups were subjected to traumatic shock with L-Arg treatment group given 100 mg/kg L-Arg during resuscitation while the other receiving no medication. The control group received only intubation without trauma or phlebotomy. P-selectin expression in the vital organs including the heart, lungs, spleen, liver and small intestine was determined by means of streptavidin-biotin (SABC) immunocytochemical staining technique and serum P-selectin level assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Before traumatic shock, P-selectin was scarcely detected in the vital organs except the lungs, and the serum was positive for P-selectin expression. Four hours after shock, intense P-selectin expression was observed in almost all the vital organs and the serum P-selectin level was significantly higher than that of the control group. In L-Arg treatment group, P-selectin levels were significantly lowered than those of shock group.


CONCLUSIONS
P-selectin expression in the vital organs and serum is up-regulated during traumatic shock in rats, possibly due to severe microcirculatory disorder and endothelial dysfunction in this condition. L-Arg may decrease the expression of P-selectin very likely through promoting endothelial NO synthesis.
Huang
Zong-hai
ZH
Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
Lin
Hong-wu
HW
Li
Zhou
Z
Feng
Hao-miao
HM
Sun
Ying-gang
YG
Zhang
Qing-guo
QG
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012774:Shock, Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism*
D019007:P-Selectin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine