Dietary L-arginine attenuates expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats

Objective To determine whether the antiatherogenic effect of L-arginine is due to an inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats. Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: Group NC with normal diet (NC, n=8), Group CC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet (CC, n=8), Group AC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet supplemented with 3% L-arginine HCI in the drinking water (AC, n=8). Eight weeks later, the blood samples were collected for biochemical studies, and the aortae were harvested for RT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies. Results The results showed that dietary L-arginine supplementation reduced expression of VCAM-1 in protein level and mRNA level. Conclusion Inhibitory effect of dietary supplementation of L-arginine on VCAM-1 expression may be one of the mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis.