Protective effect of nitric oxide pathway in L-citrulline renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

摘要

To observe the protective effects of L-citrulline on the renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and elucidate the mechanisms involved. Forty-eight rats were randomized into eight groups. At the end of the reperfusion period, serum was collected and the kidneys were removed for histological and biochemical examinations. Our results showed that pretreatment with L-citrulline significantly ameliorated the renal injury caused by I/R. Moreover, L-citrulline increased the levels of NO. The I/R-induced decreases in total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, inducible NOS activity and constitutive NOS activity in the renal cortex were significantly prevented. These results suggested that L-citrulline administration exhibited significant protection on renal I/R injury.