L-arginine fails to protect against myocardial remodelling in L-NAME-induced hypertension

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the substrate for nitric oxide synthesis L-arginine is able to modify hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy development induced by chronic blockade of nitric oxide synthase activity by NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four groups of rats were investigated: control, L-arginine 1.5 g kg-1, L-NAME 40 mg kg-1, and L-NAME +L-arginine in corresponding doses. Systolic blood pressure was measured by non-invasive tail-cuff plethysmography each week. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and hydroxyproline and coenzyme Q9 and Q10 concentrations in the left ventricle, and nitric oxide synthase activity in the left ventricle, kidney and brain were investigated. RESULTS: In the L-NAME group, nitric oxide synthase activity was decreased in the left ventricle, kidney and brain, and hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis developed. Heart remodelling was associated with the decrease of coenzyme Q9 and Q10 concentrations in the left ventricle. Simultaneous treatment with L-NAME and L-arginine prevented nitric oxide synthase activity diminution in the left ventricle but not in the kidney and brain, and completely failed to prevent hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis. Nevertheless, l-arginine prevented the diminution of coenzyme Q9 and Q10 concentrations in the left ventricle. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that L-arginine failed to prevent hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis development despite restoration of nitric oxide synthase activity in the left ventricle. However, L-arginine prevented the diminution of coenzyme Q levels in the left ventricle.