title: Effect of L-arginine on calcium in hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is much debate over the regulation of mitochondrial calcium overload and reducing the impairment of energy metabolism in hepatic cells. It has not been reported whether L-arginine (L-Arg) can affect hepatic mitochondrial calcium overload. This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of L-Arg on Ca2+ handling of hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice and to clarify its possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation+normal saline group (SO group), common bile duct ligation+normal saline group (BDL group), and common bile duct ligation+ L-Arg group (L-Arg group). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Ca2+ in rat hepatic mitochondrion were examined at the 7th, 14th and 21st day after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Ca2+ and MDA levels of hepatic mitochondrion increased significantly but their SOD content decreased markedly at each time point in the BDL group. Except at the 21st day, the Ca2+ and MDA, contents of hepatic mitochondrion were significantly lower, and SOD concentrations were higher in the L-Arg group than those in the BDL group at the 7th and 14th day (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-Arg has a protective effect on mitochondrion in the early and mid stages of obstructive jaundice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524023, China. linmusheng@gdmc.edu.cn
authors.forename: Mu-Sheng
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hui-Lai
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Xiao-Guang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Shi-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Bao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001120:Arginine; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002118:Calcium