Therapeutic potential of L-arginine in a rat model of ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious problem subsequent to reperfusion treatment for ovarian torsion. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in ovarian I/R injury is debatable. The main focus of this study was to explore the protective role of L-arginine, a potent NO precursor, on ovarian I/R injury. Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 5). In the control group, only laparotomy was performed. In the I/R group, ischaemia and reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. In the I/R + arginine group, ischaemia was followed by reperfusion and 200 mg kg–1 L-arginine was injected 5 min before reperfusion. Concentration of malondialdehyde, NO and reduced glutathione, as well as activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were microscopically examined for histological evaluation of the ovaries. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity along with concentration of reduced glutathione and NO were significantly lower in the I/R group in comparison to the control group. Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in the I/R group than in control group. These results were reversed with supplementation of L-arginine. Light microscopic examination revealed severe vascular congestion, edema, haemorrhage, and follicular degeneration in the ovary tissue. The extent of ovarian damage was much higher in the I/R group than in the I/R + L-arginine group. Treatment with L-arginine seems to have an ameliorating effect against oxidative stress in I/R injury in rat ovary. It considerably reduced the altered histological changes in the ovaries. Thus, it can be speculated that L-arginine might play a pivotal role as a potent therapeutic agent against ovarian torsion.