title: [L-arginine reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Sugery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. Wct66@163.com
authors.forename: Cheng-tang
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yong-feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Jin-feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jun-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shang-tong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002432:Cecum / Q000293:injuries; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001120:Arginine