Effects of L-arginine pre-treatment on isoproterenol-induced changes in lipid metabolism during experimental myocardial injury in rats

The biochemical effects of L-arginine pre-treatment against isoproterenol-i nduced changes with respect to lipid metabolism were studied in male albino rats. The levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were estimated in both serum, and the myocardial tissue. Levels of lipid peroxid es, LDL and HDL cholesterol in the serum, and total lipids and phospholipid s in the myocardial tissue were also estimated in the normal and experiment al rats. Isoproterenol-induced significant increases in the levels of LDL c holesterol and other lipid components in the serum and myocardial tissue (e xcept phospholipids) were restored to near normal levels in the rats given L-arginine pre-treatment prior to the induction of myocardial stress by iso proterenol administration, thereby exhibiting a protective effect of L-argi nine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats. Results of ou r preliminary study thus reveal that L-arginine is cardioprotective in expe rimental rats.