Neuroprotective effect of L-arginine in a newborn rat model of acute severe asphyxia.
The left common carotid artery was ligated in anaesthetized 7-day-old Wistar rats (P7), prior to asphyxia by inhaling 100% nitrogen for 9 min. Pups recovered from asphyxia received i.p. saline (n = 16), or L-Arg 300 mg/kg (n = 14). Pups undergoing sham operation remained as controls (n = 12). At day 14, the amount of surviving or degenerating neurons was quantified under optical microscopy by Nissl technique or by Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) in CA1 area of hippocampus and in parietal cortex. In these areas, asphyxia reduced the neuronal density by 23.6 and 30%, and increased the proportion of degenerating neurons two and four times, respectively. L-Arg administration to asphyxiated pups reduced the neuronal loss and the proportion of degenerating neurons by 50% (p < 0.05). We conclude that L-Arg administration after acute severe asphyxia in newborn rats is neuroprotective, reducing early and delayed neuronal loss.
Martínez-Orgado
J
J
Area de Neonatología, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. jamartinezo@fhalcorcon.es
Fernández-Frutos
B
B
González
R
R
Fernández-López
D
D
Urigüen
L
L
Romero
E
E
Moro
M
M
Bonet
B
B
Viveros
M P
MP
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008026:Ligation; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D001120:Arginine