Evaluation of liver regeneration with use of diet supplemented with l-arginine

Abstract

PURPOSE:To compare controlled liver regeneration in rats submitted to 60% hepatic resection having L-arginine supplemented diet, based on weight changes of the regenerated liver, laboratory parameters of liver function and pathological findings. METHODS:Thirty-six rats were divided into two groups, control and L-arginine. The first received standard chow and saline solution by gavage. The second had supplementation with L-arginine. Animals were killed on postoperative period at 24h, 72h and seven days.For analysis of liver regeneration was used Kwon formula for weight, laboratory tests and mitosis. RESULTS:Weight, showed no benefit with L-arginine supplementation; however, intergroup comparison in the first 24h observed positive effect on supplementation (p=0.008). Alkaline phosphatase was increased in arginine group (p<0.04). The number of mitoses showed no difference between the two groups; however, in the first 24 hours, the supplemented group had higher number of mitoses within the groups (p=0.03). CONCLUSION:Supplementation with L-arginine did not show benefits in liver regeneration; however, supplemented group in the first 24 hours showed benefits over 72 hours and seven days of the evaluation by weight gain and number of mitosis.

Current Knowledge about the Effect of Nutritional Status, Supplemented Nutrition Diet, and Gut Microbiota on Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion and Regeneration in Liver Surgery

“…Enteral immunonutrition with arginine reduces the risk of infections in patients submitted to major operations [80]. The supplementation with L-arginine diet in rats hepatectomized was unable to confirm benefits in liver regeneration [65]. Conversely, a similar study using supplementation of L-glutamine in the diet of rats after PH revealed an increase in the amount of albumin and beneficial effects for liver regeneration [66].…”

Association between artificial nutrition in brain dead donors and early allograft function in liver transplant recipients: an observational study

“…Evidence from both human and animal studies has indicated that preoperative supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) positively impacts the volume increase and hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. 16,17 In a review published in 2005 by Singer et al, 15 the authors endorse donor nutrition as a therapeutic intervention to modulate IRI and safeguard the functionality of the graft after the harvesting procedure.…”

“…Evidence from both human and animal studies has indicated that preoperative supplementation with branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) positively impacts the volume increase and hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy 16,17 …”

Role of nitric oxide in kidney and liver (as distance organ) function in bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion: Effect of L-Arginine and NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester

“…[ 55 ] It is observed that L-Arginine could improve the liver proliferation and elevate ALP in the rats underwent partial hepatectomy and the increase in the ALP level is considered as a liver cell regeneration index. [ 56 ] Therefore, it seems that increased ALP induced by L-Arginine is not associated with liver damage. Ischemia-induced BW loss and L-Arginine treatment enhanced the enzyme level.…”