Arginine supplementation improves histone and acute-phase protein synthesis during gram-negative sepsis in the rat

P. Leon, H. P. Redmond, T. P. Stein, J. Shou, M. D. Schluter, C. Kelly, S. Lanza-Jacoby, J. M. Daly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mechanisms of nutrient alteration of hepatic protein synthesis during sepsis are unclear. In vitro, arginine downregulates endotoxin-stimulated hepatocyte protein synthesis but in vivo effects are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of supplemental arginine or glycine on fibrinogen (acute-phase protein), histone, albumin, and liver protein synthesis after Gram-negative sepsis in the rat. Adult rats (225 g, n = 36) were randomized to receive isonitrogenous isocaloric total parenteral nutrition supplemented with 264 mg of N per kilogram per day as either arginine or glycine. On day 5, each group was further randomized to control or sepsis. Sepsis was induced by injection of 8 x 107 Escherichia coli per 100 g body weight, and then a continuous infusion of [1-14C]leucine was started. The rats were sacrificed 4 hours later. The fractional protein synthesis rates (percent per day) of histone, fibrinogen, albumin, and liver were determined. Supplemental arginine led to significantly increased histone (p < 0.05, analysis of variance) and fibrinogen (p < 0.01, analysis of variance) synthesis in the septic rats compared with all other groups. Histone and albumin synthesis were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the arginine-supplemented control group compared with the glycine-supplemented control group. Arginine supplementation during sepsis significantly increased (p < 0.05) albumin and liver protein synthesis compared with controls. Histones which are involved in DNA synthesis and are rich in arginine may play a role in the host response to stress and sepsis. These in vivo results appear to contradict hepatocyte-Kupffer cell coculture studies perhaps because of the hormonal and cytokine responses to nutrient substrate and acute septicemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)503-508
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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