Dietary supplementation with L-arginine ameliorates glomerular hypertension in rats with subtotal nephrectomy

This study was designed to examine the potential effect(s) of dietary supplementation with L-arginine on the renal microcirculation of female Munich-Wistar rats with ablation of 60 to 70% of total renal mass. All rats were fed a standard rat chow containing 22.8% protein (1.42% L-arginine). Groups 1 (N = 6) and 3 (N = 7) drank tap water and had micropuncture studies after 5 to 6 or 15 to 16 wk, respectively, of subtotal renal ablation. Groups 2 (N = 5) and 4 (N = 7) drank tap water supplemented with L-arginine (1%) and had micropuncture studies after 5 to 6 or 15 to 16 wk, respectively, of subtotal renal ablation. Glomerular micropuncture studies revealed no differences in any of the parameters of glomerular hemodynamics measured 5 to 6 wk after renal ablation (Groups 1 versus 2). However, by 15 to 16 wk postnephrectomy, values of glomerular capillary pressure and efferent arteriolar resistance were significantly greater and the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient was significantly lower in rats drinking tap water than in rats drinking tap water supplemented with L-arginine. Single-nephron GFR, single-nephron plasma flow rate, and afferent arteriolar resistance were not different between these two groups. The data suggest that the long-term administration of L-arginine prevents the progression of glomerular sclerosis in rats with subtotal nephrectomy, at least in part, by ameliorating glomerular capillary hypertension.