M. Sreepriya et al., Protective effects of L-arginine on experimental myocardial injury inducedby beta-adrenergic stimulation in rats, J CL BIOC N, 27(1), 1999, pp. 19-26
Changes in the activities of lysosomal enzymes (beta-D-galactosidase, beta-
D-glucosidase, beta-D-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, and beta-fucosidase), mitoc
hondrial enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, succinate
dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and NADH dehydrogenase)
and marker enzymes of cardiac function (LDH, AST, ALT, and CK) during isopr
oterenol-induced myocardial infarction and the effect of L-arginine pre-tre
atment were studied in male albino rats. In the rats given isoproterenol, t
here were significant increases in serum activities of LDH, CK, AST, and AL
T and significant reductions in the myocardial tissue. Activity of the lyso
somal enzyme beta-D-N-acetyl glucosaminidase was considerably increased, an
d beta-galactosidase was considerably decreased in the isoproterenol-treate
d rats as compared with that in those given isoproterenol after pre-treatme
nt with L-arginine. The activities of the mitochondrial enzymes in the isop
roterenol-intoxicated group were significantly lower as compared with those
of the L-arginine supplemented rats given isoproterenol. These results con
firm the efficacy of L-arginine as a potent cardioprotective agent and the
protective effect of L-arginine against isoproterenol-induced mitochondrial
and lysosomal damage.