Effects of L-arginine on the kidney levels of malondialdehyde in rats submitted to renal ischaemia-reperfusion

Objective To evaluate the effects of L-arginine, a nitric oxide donor, on k idney levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a product of cellular lipid peroxidat ion), serum creatinine levels, and urinary volume in rats undergoing unilat eral renal ischaemia-reperfusion. Materials and methods Wistar rats (117) were randomly distributed into thre e experimental groups (of four subgroups each) in which were assessed renal cell-lipid peroxidation (kidney levels of MDA), serum creatinine levels an d urinary volume. The rats underwent unilateral nephrectomy followed by con tralateral renal ischaemia-reperfusion with or with no pretreatment with L- arginine (200 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally. Results Pretreatment with L-arginine caused significantly higher kidney lev els of MDA than in the untreated group (P<0.05). Furthermore, L-arginine gi ven before surgery attenuated the increase in serum creatinine and signific antly increased urinary volume in rats subjected to renal ischaemia-reperfu sion (P < 0.05). Conclusion L-arginine tended to be of benefit for renal function during ren al ischaemia-reperfusion in rats. Pretreatment with L-arginine (200 mg/kg i ntraperitoneally) seems to increase the renal damage by increasing kidney l evels of MDA.