Effects of L-arginine and L-carnitine in hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury

• Published in: Pediatrics international 2005-02, Vol.47 (1), p.10-14
• Main Authors: Kabaroglu, Ceyda, Akisu, Mete, Habif, Sara, Mutaf, Isil, Turgan, Nevbahar, Parildar, Zuhal, Özmen, Dilek, Bayindir, Oya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Animals; Antioxidants; Arginine - pharmacology; Carnitine - pharmacology; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - etiology; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - metabolism; Enzymes; glutathione-related enzymes; H/R-induced intestinal injury; Hypoxia - metabolism; Injuries; Intestines - metabolism; L-arginine; L-carnitine; Large intestine; Lipid Peroxidation; Malondialdehyde - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Oxidative Stress; Pediatrics; Rodents; Small intestine
• ISSN: 1328-8067; 1442-200X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2005.01999.x

Background : This study was designed to show the role of oxidative stress, nitric oxide and glutathione‐related antioxidant enzymes in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)‐induced intestinal injury model in mice and to evaluate the potential benefits of arginine and carnitine supplementation. Methods : A total of 28 young Balb/c mice were divided into four groups: Group 1 (untreated) was given physiological saline before the experiment; group 2 H/R mice were supplemented with L‐arginine; group 3 H/R mice were given L‐carnitine for 7 days; and group 4 mice served as controls. At the end of day 7, H/R injury was induced and intestinal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities were measured. Results : MDA levels were higher in the untreated animals than in the other three groups. MDA levels were higher in the L‐arginine‐treated animals than in the L‐carnitine‐treated animals. Nitrate levels were found to be increased in the L‐arginine‐treated group when compared to the controls. GSH‐Px and GR activities were increased in the untreated, the L‐arginine and the L‐carnitine‐treated H/R groups when compared to the control group. GST activities were indifferent between the groups. Conclusions : Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of H/R‐induced intestinal injury. The glutathione redox cycle may have a crucial role in the H/R‐induced intestinal injury. L‐arginine and L‐carnitine supplementations ameliorate the histological evidence of H/R‐induced intestinal injury and decrease lipid peroxidation but do not alter the glutathione‐related antioxidant enzyme activities.