[The effects of L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester on lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid induced liver injury in the rat].
BACKGROUND
Whether nitric oxide (NO) protects or impairs the liver function and structure during the early phase of sepsis is still controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of NO on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) induced liver injury in rats.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-six Wistar rats were assigned randomly and equally to LTA and LPS groups. Each group was divided into three subgroups which received saline, L-Arginine (L-Arg) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) consecutively, one hour prior to either 5 mg/kg LPS or 3 mg/kg LTA injection. Plasma nitrite plus nitrate [NOx] were measured. Liver injury was assessed by measuring the rises in circulating liver enzymes and by scoring the extent of liver necrosis.


RESULTS
Administration of L-NAME+LPS not only reduced [NOx] production but also enhanced liver damage. LNAME+ LTA caused an increase in the plasma levels of [NOx] (p=0.0006), and produced sinusoidal enlargement in liver. L-Arg protected the hepatocytes against LPS injury, whereas, enhanced the liver damage in the LTA group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicated that overproduction of NO exerts detrimental effect on LTA-treated rats while providing a protective function in LPS group.
Engin
Atilla
A
Gazi Universitesi, Tip Fakültesi, Genel Cerraihi Anabilim Dali, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey. atillaengin@ttnet.net.tr
Kurukahvecioğlu
Osman
O
Bukan
Neslihan
N
Dursun
Ayşe
A
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013682:Teichoic Acids
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D013682:Teichoic Acids; C009900:lipoteichoic acid; D001120:Arginine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester