Abstract Title:

The prevention of endothelial dysfunction through endothelial cell apoptosis inhibition in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model: the effect of L-arginine supplementation.

Abstract Source:

Lipids Health Dis. 2008;7:27. Epub 2008 Aug 2. PMID: 18673573

Abstract Author(s):

Mehdi Nematbakhsh, Shaghayegh Haghjooyjavanmard, Farzaneh Mahmoodi, Ali Reza Monajemi

Article Affiliation:

Deparment of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. [email protected]

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The impact of L-arginine on atherogenesis and its ability to prevent endothelial dysfunction have been studied extensively during the past years. L-arginine is a substance for nitric oxide synthesis which involves in apoptosis. Hypercholesterolemia promotes endothelial dysfunction, and it is hypothesized that L-arginine prevents endothelial dysfunction through endothelial cells apoptosis inhibition. To test this hypothesis, thirty rabbits were assigned into two groups. The control group received 1% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, and the L-arginine group received same diets plus 3% L-arginine in drinking water.

RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in cholesterol level between two groups, but the nitrite concentration in L-arginine group was significantly higher than other group (control group: 11.8 +/- 1; L-arginine group: 14.7 +/- 0.5 micromol/l); (p<0.05). The aorta score of fatty streak in control group was 0.875 +/- 0.35, but no fatty streak lesion was detected in L-arginine group (p<0.05). The number of intimal apoptotic cells/500 cells of aorta in two groups of experiment were statistically different (control group: 39.3 +/- 7.6; L-arginine group: 21.5 +/- 5.3) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The inhibition of endothelial cells apoptosis by L-arginine restores endothelial function in a model of hypercholesterolemia.

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