title: L-Arginine Supplementation in Type II Diabetic Rats Preserves Renal Function and Improves Insulin Sensitivity by Altering the Nitric Oxide Pathway.
abstract: Rat studies demonstrated that type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) decreases both the production and bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). L-arginine (LA) provides the precursor for the production of NO. We hypothesized that LA dietary supplementation will preserve NO production via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) causing renal microvascular vasodilation and increased glomerular blood flow and thus increasing glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This would impede the formation of reactive oxygen species which contributes to cell damage and death. LA supplementation preserved GFR in the treated diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic rats. We provide evidence that this effect may be due to increased levels of eNOS and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which leads to renal microvascular vasodilation. Plasma nitrotyrosine was decreased in the LA treated rats; however, plasma nitrite levels remained unaffected as expected. Marked improvements in glucose tolerance were also observed in the LA treated diabetic rats. These results demonstrate that LA supplementation preserves NO activity and may delay the onset of insulin resistance and renal dysfunction during hyperglycemic stress. These results suggest the importance of the NO pathway in consequent renal dysfunction and in the development of insulin resistance in diabetic rats.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Taylor
authors: 0000-0003-3843-1802
authors: T
authors: Claybaugh
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Sarah
authors: 0000-0003-3522-7996
authors: S
authors: Decker
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; Department of Specialty Medicine, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Kelly
authors: K
authors: McCall
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Yuriy
authors: Y
authors: Slyvka
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Jerrod
authors: 0000-0003-1555-4041
authors: J
authors: Steimle
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Wood
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Megan
authors: 0000-0003-2793-9096
authors: M
authors: Schaefer
authors: The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; Department of Specialty Medicine, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Thuma
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA ; The Diabetes Institute at Ohio University, Ohio University, 228 Irvine, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Inman