Increase in menopausal estrogen level with low L-arginine consumption in short period
Increase in menopausal estrogen level with low L-arginine consumption in short period
Fatemeh Lakzaei,1Manizheh Karami,2,*Mohammadreza Jalali Nadoushan,3
1. Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University 2. Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University 3. Dept. of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University
Introduction: As defined during menopause, the production of estrogen hormone by the ovaries decreases. L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid and precursor of nitric oxide (NO) and primary substrate of polyamines. Our aim was to show whether the timely use of this substance can increase the level of ovarian steroid hormone production in aged rats.
Methods: Female Wistar rats (36weeks, weighing 250 grams) were randomly divided into control and experimental groups after Pap smear test and confirmation of diestrous phase. L-Arginine (5-50 mg/kg), a NO precursor alone or in combination with L-NAME (5-25 mg/kg), a NO-producing enzyme inhibitor, during a period of (3 to 21 days once a day, intraperitoneally) was injected in rats. The control group received only saline 1 ml/kg. At the end, blood samples were prepared and steroid hormone levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Ovary and uterus samples were also collected and analyzed biometrically and histopathologically. Data were analyzed using ANOVA under α = 0.05.
Results: Estrogen levels were higher in low doses and short periods of L-arginine (3 and 5 days) compared to the saline control group, and the ovaries showed a normal condition (without cysts). Also, using L-NAME alone or before L-arginine injection had no significant effect.
Conclusion: Consumption of low doses of L-arginine in short periods may resolve menopausal complications with metabolic changes.