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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Published on: May 11, 2016
[L-arginine reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection]
Cheng-tang Wu1, Yong-feng Ren, Jin-feng Liu
1Department of General Sugery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. Wct66@163.com
Objective:
To explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection.
Methods:
Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038).
Conclusion:
Severe abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.
