[L-arginine reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) on intestinal mucosal cell apoptosis in rats with severe abdominal infection. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the CLP group (n=6) in which the rats were subjected to cecal ligation plus puncture (CLP) to induce severe abdominal infection, L-Arg group (n=6) where the rats received 300 mg/kg peritoneal L-Arg injection following CLP establishment, and the control group (n=6) where the rats underwent ventrotomy only. Intestinal epithelial apoptotic cells were quantified in each group using TUNEL assay 24 h after the operation. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the rats in CLP and L-Arg groups showed significantly increased number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal epithelium 24 h after the operation (P<0.001). The apoptotic index (AI) in the L-Arg group (18.1-/+2.2) was significantly lower than that in CLP group (20.8-/+2.3, P=0.038). CONCLUSION: Severe abdominal infection results in increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells in rats, and L-Arg treatment may reduce the cell apoptosis.