Effect of L-arginine on calcium in hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice.
BACKGROUND
There is much debate over the regulation of mitochondrial calcium overload and reducing the impairment of energy metabolism in hepatic cells. It has not been reported whether L-arginine (L-Arg) can affect hepatic mitochondrial calcium overload. This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of L-Arg on Ca2+ handling of hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice and to clarify its possible mechanism.


METHODS
Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation+normal saline group (SO group), common bile duct ligation+normal saline group (BDL group), and common bile duct ligation+ L-Arg group (L-Arg group). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Ca2+ in rat hepatic mitochondrion were examined at the 7th, 14th and 21st day after operation.


RESULTS
The Ca2+ and MDA levels of hepatic mitochondrion increased significantly but their SOD content decreased markedly at each time point in the BDL group. Except at the 21st day, the Ca2+ and MDA, contents of hepatic mitochondrion were significantly lower, and SOD concentrations were higher in the L-Arg group than those in the BDL group at the 7th and 14th day (P<0.01).


CONCLUSION
L-Arg has a protective effect on mitochondrion in the early and mid stages of obstructive jaundice.