Nr. 2 - 2. Quartal 1994

Amelioration of Postischemic Reflow and Cellular Integrity in the Rat Liver by L-Arginine

Th. Minoret al.

Reperfusion of the ischemic liver has been shown to be compromised by impaired vascular relaxation. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of L-arginine, a precursor of the endothelium derived vascular relaxing factor (EDRF), on hepatic recovery after ischemia.

Livers from male Wistar rats were excised and flushed with 10 ml Ringer's solution and 10 ml Euro-Collins solution. After ischemic alteration (60 min at 37deg.C and 60 min at 4deg.C) the livers were reperfused via the portal vein with carbogen saturated Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 45 min. L-arginine, when used, was admixed to the Euro-Collins flush solution and to the perfusion medium at 10-4 M.

Upon reperfusion, L-arginine reduced portal vascular resistance, leakage of cytoplasmatic alanine aminotransferase and of intramitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase, resulting in an increase in recovery of oxygen consumption and bile production with comparison to untreated livers. No comparable effects were obtained by admixing D-arginine in equimolar concentrations.

These results document a protective effect exerted by L-arginine, which seems to be obtained via an amelioration of perfusate flow conditions. Since L-arginine is the metabolic substrate for synthesis of the EDRF, it is conceivable that maintenance of adequate levels of EDRF during the pathologic situation upon reperfusion may be crucial.

Keywords:

L-arginine, EDRF, ischemia, reperfusion, perfusate flow conditions, liver transplantation

Kurztitel:

Minor, Th. (1994) TxMed 2:110

[Pabst Science Publishers] [Transplantationsmedizin] [Inhalt] [Suchen] [Bestellen]