US EPA

1650617 

Journal Article 

The role of L-arginine in toxic liver failure: interrelation of arginase, polyamine catabolic enzymes and nitric oxide synthase 

Nikolic, J; Stojanovic, I; Pavlovic, R; Sokolovic, D; Bjelakovic, G; Beninati, S 

2007 

Yes 

Amino Acids
ISSN: 0939-4451
EISSN: 1438-2199 

32 

1 

127-131 

English 

16699819 

10.1007/s00726-006-0309-y 

WOS:000242602700020 

The existing interrelation in metabolic pathways of L-arginine to polyamines, nitric oxide (NO) and urea synthesis could be affected in sepsis, inflammation, intoxication and other conditions. The role of polyamines and NO in the toxic effect of mercury chloride on rat liver function was studied. Administration of mercury chloride for 24 h led to significantly elevated plasma activities of Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST). Malondyaldehyde (MDA) levels were unaffected (p > 0.05) and arginase activity was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while nitrate/nitrite production was significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in liver tissue. Polyamine oxidase (PAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activities, enzymes involved in catabolism of polyamines, were decreased. L-arginine supplementation to intoxicated rats potentiated the effect of mercury chloride on NO production and it was ineffective on arginase activity. Results obtained in this study show that mercury chloride-induced toxicity leads to abnormally high levels of ALT and AST that may indicate liver damage with the involvement of polyamine catabolic enzymes and NO. 

arginase; nitric oxide synthase; polyamine oxidase; diamine oxidase; mercury chloride; liver