Abstract

EFFECT OF L-ARGININE ON ORAL MUCOSA REPARATION IN RATS WITH CHEMICALLY INDUCED DIABETES

Jose D. Mendez*, Jianling Xie and Verna Mendez-Valenzuela

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Abstract

This research was designed to study the effect of L-arginine on wound healing in oral mucosa of diabetic rats. Four groups of rats were studied (n = 8 adult males per group). Group I was the control group (saline solution i. p.). Group II, normal rats were treated with 1.0 mL of 10 mM L-arginine i. p. Group III, diabetic control treated with saline solution and Group IV, diabetic rats were treated with 1.0 mL 10 mM L-arginine. Under anesthesia, a wound (1.0 cm) was produced in the oral mucosa of all animals. Blood glucose was measured for 12 days, at the end of this time, the animals were sacrificed. A biopsy of tissue around the wound was taken and arginase activity, dry weight, total proteins, L-hydroxyproline and deoxyribonucleic acid were measured. The results show a constant increase in glycemia in group II with values of 400 mg/dL that persisted until day 12. While hyperglycemia diminished near day 8, arginase activity and the concentration of total proteins, L-hydroxyproline and deoxyribonucleic acid were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with L-arginine. The highest values of all biochemical parameters were observed in group II. These results suggest that L-arginine prevents hyperglycemia and reduces the time of oral mucosa reparation.

Keywords: Oral Mucosa, Alloxan, Rats, Diabetes Mellitus, L-Arginine, Arginase Activity, Wound Healing.