Effects of N-acetylcysteine on arginase, ornithine and nitric oxide in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
BACKGROUND
Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a complex syndrome involving several mechanisms such as renal vasoconstrictions, extensive tubular damage and glomerular injury. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant by itself, may serve as a precursor for glutathione synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of NAC on liver and kidney tissue arginase activity, ornithine and plasma nitric oxide levels during the I/R injury of kidney.


METHODS
Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats divided into three groups: group 1; was given saline intraperitoneally (i.p.). Saline to group 2 and NAC (300 mg kg(-1)) to group 3 were injected i.p. 30 min before induction of ischemia. Groups 2 and 3; subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (60 min) followed by reperfusion (24 h). After the reperfusion period, the rats were sacrificed and liver and kidney tissue arginase activities, ornithine and plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined.


RESULTS
NAC had an increasing effect on both of liver and kidney tissue arginase activities and ornithine levels while decreasing plasma NO concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
The stimulatory effect of NAC on arginase activity may result in an inhibition of the plasma NO level. Moreover, it could be possible that one of the protective mechanisms of NAC might be through the stimulation on the both liver and kidney tissue ornithine levels.
Erbas
Hakan
H
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Trakya, 22030 Edirne, Turkey. herbas@trakya.edu.tr
Aydogdu
Nurettin
N
Kaymak
Kadir
K
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001119:Arginase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D009952:Ornithine / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009952:Ornithine; D001119:Arginase; D000111:Acetylcysteine