Yq. Huo et al., Dietary L-arginine attenuates expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats, CHIN MED J, 112(5), 1999, pp. 452-455
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.