title: Role of nitric oxide in kidney and liver (as distance organ) function in bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion: Effect of L-Arginine and NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) is a major cause of renal dysfunction that acts through different mechanisms. We investigated the role of L-Arginine as an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) precursor and NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as an NO inhibitor on kidney and liver function in RIR model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Groups 1 (sham-operated, n = 13) received a single dose of saline (4 ml/kg, i.p.) and 2 (Ischemia [Isch], n = 14) received a single dose of saline (4 ml/kg, i.p.). Groups 3 (Isch + L-NAME, n = 15) received a single dose of L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and 4 (Isch + L-Arginine n = 16) received a single dose of L-Arginine (300 mg/kg, i.p.), After 2 h, renal failure was induced by clamping both renal pedicles for 45 min, followed by 24-h reperfusion in Groups 2-4. Finally, blood samples were obtained, and kidney tissue samples were subjected for pathology investigations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The body weight decreased, and the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), and kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) increased significantly in the Isch and Isch + L-NAME groups compared with the sham group while L-Arginine improved weight reduction (P < 0.05), and it reduced the serum levels of BUN and Cr, and KTDS when compared with the Isch and Isch + L-NAME groups. Kidney weight increased significantly in all groups compared with the sham group. L-Arginine reduced the liver tissue level of malondialdehyde and increased alkaline phosphatase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-Arginine as an NO precursor can improve kidney function against RIR. It also improves oxidative stress in liver tissue.
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Biology, Taft Payam-Noor University, Taft, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Isfahan MN Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences Research, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nematbakhsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Taft Payam-Noor University, Taft, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Daneshmand
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moeini
authors.affiliation: Water and Electrolytes Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Clinical Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ardeshir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talebi
keywords: L-Arginine; NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester; liver; rat; renal ischemia