[EFFECT OF L-ARGININE - NO ON PROOXIDANT-ANTIOXIDANT BALANCE IN ERYTHROCYTES OF RATS UNDER ALCOHOL INTOXICATION.]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Toxicology
• Physiology

Background:

• Alcohol intoxication significantly impacts cellular functions, including oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) metabolism.
• Erythrocytes are vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage, affecting their antioxidant defense systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of alcohol intoxication on antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocytes.
• To evaluate the potential protective role of L-arginine, a substrate for NOS, and the impact of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in rat erythrocytes.
• Assessment of stable nitric oxide metabolites and lipid peroxidation products (TBA-positive products).
• Evaluation of total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in hemolysates, with and without L-arginine or L-NAME administration.

Main Results:

• Alcohol intoxication decreased total NOS activity by 65% and altered antioxidant enzyme levels.
• L-arginine administration to intoxicated rats doubled antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased lipid peroxidation.
• L-NAME reduced total NOS activity in both control and intoxicated rats, while L-arginine increased it.

Conclusions:

• L-arginine demonstrates antioxidant properties and can mitigate alcohol-induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes.
• L-arginine supplementation may be a viable strategy to counteract alcohol-related cellular damage.
• L-NAME exhibits a mild stabilizing effect on NOS activity, distinct from L-arginine's protective role.