title: Effect of L-arginine therapy on plasma NO2 and NO3 levels, and blood pressure in uremic rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Normal kidney function is regulated by Nitric oxide (NO) and Superoxide (O2-) in the body, and consequently controls blood pressure. Nitric Oxide promotes natriuresis and diuresis, and therefore results in reduction of blood pressure. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure, urinary protein, nitrite and nitrate in addition to blood urea, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in uremic rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. A total of 48 rabbits were included in the study. Twenty-four of the rabbits on surgical intervention were prepared as uremic and so became hypertensive as well. Two groups were uremic, one group was given L-arginine and the other was remained untreated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured on week 0, week 2, week 4, and week 6, while blood and urine was collected on week 0 and week 6.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On supplementation with L-arginine to uremic rabbits systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased significantly. Nitrite/nitrate and urinary protein were corrected to some extent while blood urea and serum creatinine were unaffected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-arginine has a beneficial role as blood pressure lowering agent in uremic rabbits. It corrects NO2/NO3 plasma level and proteinuria which is indicator of renal failure.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanif
authors.forename: Khemomal A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Karira
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iltaf
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rani
authors.forename: Nusratullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Haresh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.lastname: Shaheena
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wahab
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy; D011817:Rabbits; D014511:Uremia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D001120:Arginine; D003404:Creatinine