Protective effect of arginine on oxidative stress in transgenic sickle mouse models

Trisha Dasgupta, Robert P. Hebbel, Dhananjay K. Kaul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by reperfusion injury and chronic oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and hemolysis in SCD result in inactivation of nitric oxide (NO) and depleted arginine levels. We hypothesized that augmenting NO production by arginine supplementation will reduce oxidative stress in SCD. To this end, we measured the effect of arginine (5% in mouse chow) on NO metabolites (NOx), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and selected antioxidants in transgenic sickle mouse models. Untreated transgenic sickle (NY1DD) mice (expressing ∼ 75% βS-globin of all β-globins; mild pathology) and knockout sickle (BERK) mice (expressing exclusively hemoglobin S; severe pathology) showed reduced NOx levels and significant increases in the liver LPO compared with C57BL mice, with BERK mice showing maximal LPO increase in accordance with the disease severity. This was accompanied by reduced activity of antioxidants (glutathione, total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase). However, GSH levels in BERK were higher than in NY1DD mice, indicating a protective response to greater oxidative stress. Importantly, dietary arginine significantly increased NOx levels, reduced LPO, and increased antioxidants in both sickle mouse models. In contrast, nitro-L-arginine methylester, a potent nonselective NOS inhibitor, worsened the oxidative stress in NY1DD mice. Thus, the attenuating effect of arginine on oxidative stress in SCD mice suggests its potential application in the management of this disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1771-1780
Number of pages10
JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine
Volume41
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants PO1 HL-55552 and RO1 HL-070047.

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Arginine
  • Lipid peroxidation
  • Oxidative stress
  • Sickle cell disease

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