Concomitant use of l-arginine with high butter and corn oil diet prevent their harmful effects on adrenocortical cells of albino rats

Objective: To compare the bichemical and morphological effects of L -Arginine against the changes caused by butter and corn oil supplementation Study design: A prospective experimental study Place: Department of Anatomy BMSI, JPMC Duration: August to October 2008

Methodology: Male Albino rats weighing 200 - 240gm were selected and divided into 5 groups. Group 'CL' received standard laboratory diet. Group 'Bu' received 20% added unsalted butter in diet. Group 'Co' received 20% added corn oil in diet. Group 'BuAr' received 20% Butter with L-Arginine 300mg /kg body weight /day orally .Group'CoAr' received 20%corn oil along with L-Arginine 300mg/kg body weight/day orally. On completion of study period that is 4 weeks, animals were sacrifised. Blood was drawn for hormonal assays. Adrenal glands were removed and fixed in buffered neutral formalin. Right adrenals were processed and sectioned at4 microm thickness to be stained with Mallory trichrome stain to visualize blood vessel. Left adrenalswere sectioned with cryostat in 10 microm sections and stained with Oil red O to visualize fat in cells

Results: Highly significant and moderately significant decrease observed in ACTH [Adrenocorticotrophic hormone]levels in Group BuArand CoAr when compared to Bu and Co respectively; insignificant difference was found between BuAr and CoAr. Moderately significant and significant decrease observed in corticosterone levels in Group BuAr and CoAr when compared to Buand Co respectively. Insignificant difference was found between BuAr and CoAr . Mallory trichrome stained section showed less dilated blood vessels in BuAr and CoAr compared to Bu and Co respectively, while difference among the former two was not remarkable. Oil red O stained sections showed less densely packed fat globules in group BuAr and CoAr compared to Bu and Co respectively. Difference between BuAr and CoAr was not marked

Conclusion: Butter has more stimulatory effect on adrenal cortical cells but the comparison with corn oil is not statistically significant except for ACTH levels. L Arginine seems to be effective in lowering the levels of stress hormones, fat accumulation and vasodilatation when given along with corn oil and butter oil

Protective effect of L-Arginine on streptozotocin-Induced diabetic nephropathy in albino rat

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of L-arginine on body weight, and absolute and relative kidney weight of Streptozotocin [STZ]-treated albino rats

Methodology: This experimental study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from February to March, 2010. In this study, 30 male albino rats were divided into 3 groups, containing 10 animals each. Group-A was treated as control. Group-B animals received STZ in a dose of 37 mg/kg intraperitoneally [I/P] only once at the start of experiment. Group-C received L-arginine orally in a dose of 0.3 mg/100 gram [G]body weight/day a week before STZ treatment. Body weight of animals was calculated at start and end of the study period, along with absolute and relative kidney weight and serum glucose level

Results: There was a highly significant increase in serum glucose level in group B animals when compared to the control group A. In group C, the serum glucose levels returned near to control. The final body weight of group B animals decreased significantly when compared to their initial weight, as well as when compared to control. The data also showed that there was a significant decrease in absolute kidney weight whereas, significant increase in relative kidney weight in group B animals when compared to group A animals respectively. There was significant restoration of body weight, and absolute and relative kidney weight in group C animals receiving L-arginine along with STZ

Conclusion: Our findings conclude that L-arginine as a nitric oxide donor and as an antioxidant, plays a significant role in preserving renal morphology in streptozotocin-treated hyperglycemic rats

Restorative effect of garlic on fatty liver

Objective: To assess the restorative role of garlic on high-fat induced hepatocellular damage

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done at BMSI, JPMC from 1st - 30th October 2008 after obtaining ethical approval. Thirty adult albino rats, weighing 220 to 240 gram were divided into three groups according to dietary regimen. Group A served as control, group B received high-fat diet [20 mg butter in 100 gm of diet] and group C was given same quantity of butter as in group B along with 6% fresh crushed garlic in diet for 4 weeks. The rats were sacrificed, liver removed, weighed and processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining

Results: There was significant increase in the body weight and absolute liver weight in group B animals receiving high-fat diet, both of which decreased significantly after the concomitant use of garlic in group C. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections revealed shrunken portal triad, swollen hepatocytes with pyknotic nuclei in high-fat diet group as compared to control animals,while in group C hepatocytes were polygonal in shape with vesicular nuclei comparable to control group A

Conclusion: Garlic has restorative role in high-fat induced hepatocellular damage. Fatty liver produced by high quantities of saturated fats, such as butter can be ameliorated by the use of garlic

Ameliorating effect of Allium Sativum on high-fat diet induced fatty liver in albino rats

Objective: To assess the hepatoprotective effect provided by fresh garlic on fatty liver induced by high-fat diet

Methods: This experimental study was carried out at BMSI, JPMC from October to November 2008. Thirty adult albino rats, 200-240 gram weight, were divided into three groups. Group A received control diet, Group B received high-fat diet [20 mg butter/100 gm diet] and Group C received high-fat diet with fresh garlic [20 mg butter with 6 gm fresh garlic/100 gm diet]. The groups were further divided on the basis of duration of treatment, four weeks and eight weeks respectively. The rats were sacrificed, liver removed, weighed and relative liver weight calculated. Hepatic tissue was processed and tissue slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin

Results: There was significant increase in relative liver weight in group B animals as compared to the control animals, which decreased significantly in group C. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections revealed ballooned hepatocytes having vesicular appearance with pyknotic nuclei in high-fat group which were preserved to a great extent in group C animals

Conclusion: This study has shown that use of fresh garlic along with high-fat diet prevents its damaging effects on liver to a great extent