EFFECT OF L-ARGININE THERAPY ON PLASMA NO2 AND NO3 LEVELS, AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN UREMIC RABBITS

Authors

  • Mohammad Hanif
  • Khemomal A. Karira
  • Muhammad Iltaf
  • Mona Rani
  • Nusratullah Khan
  • Haresh Kumar
  • Shaheena Shaheena
  • Abdul Wahab

Abstract

Background: Normal kidney function is regulated by Nitric oxide (NO) and Superoxide (O2-) inthe body, and consequently controls blood pressure. Nitric Oxide promotes natriuresis anddiuresis, and therefore results in reduction of blood pressure. The objective of this study was todetermine the effect of L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure, urinary protein, nitrite andnitrate 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 SciencesInstitute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. A total of 48 rabbits were included in thestudy. Twenty-four of the rabbits on surgical intervention were prepared as uremic and so becamehypertensive as well. Two groups were uremic, one group was given L-arginine and the other wasremained untreated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured on week 0, week 2, week4, and week 6, while blood and urine was collected on week 0 and week 6. Results: Onsupplementation with L-arginine to uremic rabbits systolic and diastolic blood pressures weredecreased significantly. Nitrite/nitrate and urinary protein were corrected to some extent whileblood urea and serum creatinine were unaffected. Conclusion: L-arginine has a beneficial role asblood pressure lowering agent in uremic rabbits. It corrects NO2/NO3 plasma level and proteinuriawhich is indicator of renal failure.Keywords: Renal failure, uremia, L-arginine, hypertention, NO2/NO3

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Published

2011-06-01