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 kidney levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a product of cellular lipid peroxidation), serum creatinine levels, and urinary volume in rats undergoing unilateral renal ischaemia-reperfusion. Materials and methods Wistar rats (117) were randomly distributed into three experimental groups (of four subgroups each) in which were assessed renal cell-lipid peroxidation (kidney levels of MDA), serum creatinine levels and urinary volume. The rats underwent unilateral nephrectomy followed by contralateral 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 levels of MDA than in the untreated group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, l-arginine given before surgery attenuated the increase in serum creatinine and significantly increased urinary volume in rats subjected to renal ischaemia-reperfusion (P < 0.05). Conclusion l-arginine tended to be of benefit for renal function during renal ischaemia-reperfusion in rats. Pretreatment with l-arginine (200 mg/kg intraperitoneally) seems to increase the renal damage by increasing kidney levels of MDA