Observation of arginine’s protection from hepatic injury and its effect on hepatic cell apoptosis in the rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective To explore whether arginine could lighten the hepatic dysfunction of rat with obstructive jaundice (OJ) and the influence of arginine on hepatic cell apoptosis. Methods A total of 42 adult Wistar rats were studied. They were divided into three groups: the sham operation group (A group), the OJ group (B group) and the group of OJ rats administered arginine (C group). The B and C group were established by double-ligating bile duct (BDL). Abdomenal injections of arginine (500 mg/kg·d) postoperatvely was administered daily in C group. Three groups of rats were sacrificed after 1 and 2 weeks of postoperation, respectively. The levels of serum total bilirubin (TBIL) , direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were tested and the tissue’s histopathology and ultrastructure changes were observed; the immunohistochemical technique was used for detecting the Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. Results With the time of BDL extending, the values of serum ALT, AST, TBIL and DBIL were increased and the value of B group was higher than that of A group (P0.05); following that cell apoptosis increased apparently in hepatic tissue. Compared with B group, the injury degree of hepatic function and histopathology of changes in C group were decreased. With the time extending, the Bcl-2 and Bax protein of both B and C group were increased. The Bcl-2 was increased more evidently in C group, just like Bax in B group. Conclusion Arginine can ease the degree of hepatic functional injury, for it may decrease cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulating the expression of Bax in hepatic tissue.