Effect of changes in nitric level oxide on myometrial contractility in pregnant and non-pregnant rats

Nitric oxide [NO] has been recognized as a molecule that shares in regulation of the reproductive system physiology. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of NO excess and NO deficiency on spontaneous myometrial contractions and on myometrial responsiveness to oxytocin as well, in both non-pregnant and late pregnant rats. Female adult rats were divided into two main groups: estrogen-primed non-pregnant model and time-mated late pregnant model. Rats in each model were divided into three groups: a control group, L-arginine-treated group and L-NAME-treated group. Myometrial strips taken from the different groups were suspended in organ bath containing Krebs' solution, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 for recording of isometric contractions. Spontaneous uterine motility was recorded, followed by oxytocin addition for recording of myometrial responsiveness to this hormone. Serum nitrate level was determined in all rats. L-arginine supplementation caused a significant increase in serum nitrate levels in both rat models, accompanied by decreased spontaneous myometrial contractility and attenuation of the stimulatory effect of oxytocin in both non-pregnant and pregnant rats, compared to the control values. The predominating effect in the non-pregnant model was on the average force, and in the pregnant model on the frequency of contraction. Following treatment with L-NAME. serum nitrate was significantly decreased, yet the spontaneous myometrial contractility and its responsiveness to oxytocin were non-significantly changed in both non-pregnant and pregnant rats, compared to the control group. The NO donor L-arginine has proved to have an inhibitory effect on both spontaneous and oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions, when administered in vivo, in both non-pregnant and late pregnant states, establishing the importance of the L-arginine/NO system as a uterine smooth muscle relaxant. L-arginine could, therefore, provide a useful therapeutic measure for conditions with pathological uterine contractility, like dysmenorrhea or preterm labor, taking into consideration that increased NO attenuates myometrial responsiveness to oxytocin

Influence of dietary lysine and arginine interrelationship on growth performance, carcass characteristics and immune response in Japanese quail

This study was designed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of extra Lysine [LYS] and/or Arginine [ARG] than normal requirements of Japanese quail chicks and their interaction on growth performance, carcass quality, immune response and nutrient digestibility in Japanese quail. A total of 672 one - day old Japanese quail chicks were used in this study and randomly allotted into equal 16 groups [42 per each] of mixed sex. Group 1 was fed basal diet without supplementation [control]. Quail chicks of groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on the basal diet supplemented with ARG at 110, 120 and 130% of the NRC [1994] requirement respectively. While quail chicks of groups 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 were fed basal diet supplemented with LYS/ARG at ratios of 110/100, 110/110, 110/120, 110/130, 120/100, 120/110, 120/120, 120/130, 130/100, 130/110, 130/120 and 130/130. From the obtained data it was observed that ARC supplementation without LYS [groups 2, 3 and 4] showed non significant improvement in body weight, weight gain, RGR, FCR when compared with control and also supplementation of LYS alone [groups 5, 9 and 13] showed non significant improvement in the growth performance parameters. While, both ARG and LYS supplementation had no effect on growth rates as showed in quail chicks of groups 15 and 16. There was an improvement of immune response with LYS and/or ARG supplementation as noticed in increased phagocytic activity and HI titer in quail chicks especially in the highest level of ARG supplementation [group, 4]. Regarding serum parameters, there was an increase in serum total protein level in all groups fed on LYS and/or ARG supplemented diets when compared with the control and a significant increase in serum total cholesterol in the groups supplemented with higher levels of LYS alone [groups 5, 9 and 13]. Both LYS and ARG supplemented groups had some variation in concentration of SGPT and SGOT and the highest level was observed in higher supplement level of ARG [group 4], while serum uric acid concentration increased with the level of LYS and/or ARG supplementation. There was a significant increase lymphoid organ in quail chicks of group 4 which fed basal diet supplemented with LYS/ ARG at 100/130 when compared with the control and other supplemented groups. LYS or ARG supplementation had no effect on dressing and liver percent, while both of them improved thigh percent, reduced visible fat accumulation% and improved breast meat percent and LYS is more efficient for increasing breast meat when compared with control. LYS supplementation is more related to increase CP% in breast meat than ARG and higher supplementation of both of amino acids increase CP% in liver and generally that supplement had minor effect on the nutrient digestibility

possible cytoprotective role of L-arginine and misoprostol in some radiocontrast media induced toxicity

Despite recent medical progress in supportive medical therapy, the frequency of hospital aquired acute renal failure has increased in recent years.Of the multiple etiologies which can cause such renal impairment, radiocontrast media are recorded to be the third common cause of hospital aquired acute renal failure.In attempts to minimize the radiocontrast induced nephrotoxicity, L-arginine and misoprostol were used as cytoprotective agents against such toxicity. This study was conducted on 180 adult male albino rats. They were classified into: negative control group I distilled water group II, gum acacia group III, L-arginine group IV, misoprostol groupV, diatrizoate group VI, iopromide group VII, L-arginine and diatrizoate group VIII, misoprostol and diatrizoate group IX, L-arginine and iopromide group X, misoprostol and i opromid group Xl, gentamicin group XII, gentamicin and diatnzoate group XIII, gentamicin and iopromide grou XIV, gentamicin, L-arginine and diatrizoate group XV, gentamicin, misoprostol and diatrizoate group XVl, gentamicin, L-arginine and iopromide group XVll. The last group was gentamicin, misoprostol and iopromide group XVIII. At the end of the experimental period the animals were sacrificed, BUN and serum creatinine and urinary beta2 microglobulin and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT] analyses as well as histopathological examination of the kidney sections were carried out. The results revealed that in groups VI and VII there was significant increase in BUN, serum creatinine, urinary beta2 microglobulin and GGT with degeneradive changes in the proximal convoluted tubules in comparison with group I. These changes were more observed in group VI than in group VII.While in group XIII, there was marked increase in BUN and serum creatinine with aggravation in the renal histopathological changes in comparison with group XII. Moreover misoprostol appeared more effective than L-arginine in nephroprotection when it was given five days before the radiocontrast media either in groups with health kidney [VIII, IX, X and XI] or groups with compromized kidney [XV, XVI, XVII and XIII]