Restorative effect of L-Arginine on gross morphology and adrenal weight in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective: To observe the restorative effect of L-arginine on body weight and weight of adrenal glands in streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetic rats

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Methodology: This experimental study was undertaken at the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. Fifty healthy albino rats were equally divided into five groups.Group-A was taken as control. Group-B was treated with STZ. Group-C was given STZ with insulin. Group-D received STZ with L-arginine and Group-E was administered STZ along with both L-arginine and insulin. After the confirmation of diabetes by STZ, treatment was continued for a period of 6 weeks. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 6 weeks. At the start and end of the study period mean body weight of animals was calculated. Effect of L-arginine was observed on body weight of animals and weight of adrenal glands and compared with insulin

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Results: The decrease in mean body weight of animals due to STZ was less significant when L-arginine and insulin were added to the therapy. Whereas the increase in adrenal glands weight was also less marked on administering L-arginine and insulin

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Conclusion: L-arginine has restorative effect on gross morphology and weight of adrenal glands which is comparable to insulin