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World Journal of Urology

, Volume 31, Issue 3, pp 653–658 | Cite as

Nutritional supplementation with l-arginine prevents pelvic radiation-induced changes in morphology, density, and regulating factors of blood vessels in the wall of rat bladder

  • Waldemar S. Costa
  • Monica N. Ribeiro
  • Luiz E. M. Cardoso
  • Maria C. Dornas
  • Cristiane F. Ramos
  • Carla B. M. Gallo
  • Francisco J. B. SampaioEmail author
Original Article
First Online:

Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether l-arginine has protective effects against radiation-induced alterations in the morphology and regulatory factors of vesical blood vessels in rats.

Methods

Male rats aged 3–4 months were divided into groups of 10 animals each: (a) controls, consisting of non-treated animals; (b) radiated-only rats; and (c) radiated rats receiving l-arginine supplementation. Radiation was in one session of 10 Gy and was aimed at the pelvic-abdominal region. l-arginine was administered once a day (0.65 g/kg body weight), starting 7 days before radiation and continuing until killing on the 16th day after radiation. The density, relative area, and wall thickness of blood vessels were measured in the vesical lamina propria using histological methods, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factors (FGF) in the bladder wall was assessed by RT-PCR.

Results

Compared with controls, radiation alone decreased the density and relative area of blood vessels by 32 % (p < 0.01) and 25 % (p < 0.05), respectively, and reduced the arterial wall thickness by 42 % (p < 0.004). VEGF and FGF mRNA levels after radiation were diminished by 67 % (p < 0.002) and 56 % (p < 0.04), respectively. The radiated animals supplemented with l-arginine were not significantly different from controls.

Conclusions

Pelvic radiation leads to significant vesical modifications, as in the morphology of blood vessels and in VEGF and FGF expression. All these changes, however, were prevented by l-arginine treatment. These results emphasize, therefore, the potential use of this amino acid as a radioprotective drug.

Keywords

Bladder Radiotherapy Blood vessels l-arginine 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This study received grants from the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Brazil.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Waldemar S. Costa
    • 1
  • Monica N. Ribeiro
    • 1
  • Luiz E. M. Cardoso
    • 1
  • Maria C. Dornas
    • 1
  • Cristiane F. Ramos
    • 1
  • Carla B. M. Gallo
    • 1
  • Francisco J. B. Sampaio
    • 1
    Email author
  1. 1.Urogenital Research UnitState University of Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroBrazil

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