The protective effect of L-citrulline against ischemia/reperfusion-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

Objective To study the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of L-citrulline against gastric mucosal lesions induced by ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) in rats.Methods Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups(n=6-8).Under anesthesia,the celiac artery was clamped for 30 minutes,and then the circulation was recovered by removal of the clamp.The total area of erosions and the content of nitrite/nitrate(NO) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in the gastric mucosa were examined 60 minutes after the reperfusion.Moreover,the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),total NO synthase(NOS),constitutive NOS(cNOS),inducible NOS(iNOS) and myeloperoxidase(MPO) were determined.Histological analysis of the lesions was also carried out.Results Following I/R,hemorrhagic lesions were generated in the mucosa.Prior administration of L-citrulline(300,600,900 mg/kg) before ischemia significantly ameliorated the gastric damage induced by I/R in a dose-dependent manner.The index of lymphocyte infiltration,NO content and lipid peroxidation were reduced significantly(P < 0.05).In addition,the increase of activities of total NOS and iNOS,and the decrease of cNOS activity in the gastric mucosa were also significantly attenuated by L-citrulline.Conclusion L-citrulline has a protective effect against I/R-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats at least partly by inhibiting oxidative stress and reducing lymphocyte infiltration into the mucosa via regulating the production of NO.