Abstract
The biochemical effects of L-arginine pre-treatment against isoproterenol-induced changes with respect to lipid metabolism were studied in male albino rats. The levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were estimated in both serum, and the myocardial tissue. Levels of lipid peroxides, LDL and HDL cholesterol in the serum, and total lipids and phospholipids in the myocardial tissue were also estimated in the normal and experimental rats. Isoproterenol-induced significant increases in the levels of LDL cholesterol and other lipid components in the serum and myocardial tissue (except phospholipids) were restored to near normal levels in the rats given L-arginine pre-treatment prior to the induction of myocardial stress by isoproterenol administration, thereby exhibiting a protective effect of L-arginine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage in rats. Results of our preliminary study thus reveal that L-arginine is cardioprotective in experimental rats.
