Dietary L-arginine attenuates expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats

Objective To determine whether the antiatherogenic effect of L-arginine is due to an inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressi on in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: Gro up NC with normal diet (NC, n = 8), Group CC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cho lic acid diet (CC, n = 8), Group AC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet supplemented with 3% L-arginine HCl in the drinking water (AC, n = 8). Eight weeks later, the blood samples were collected for biochemical studie s, and the aortae were harvested for RT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies . Results The results showed that dietary L-arginine supplementation reduced expression of VCAM-1 in protein level and mRNA level. Conclusion Inhibitory effect of dietary supplementation of L-arginine on VC AM-1 expression may be one of the mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis.