P. Xekouki, I. Papandreou, K. Aroni, D. Poussios, D. Athanassiades, C. Fotiadis, I. Papanicolaou,SUMMARY Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) include a variety of intestinal disorders, widely distributed throughout the human population. In recent years Nitric Oxide (NO) has been shown to play a role in the pathophysiology of IBD both in patients and in animal models. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of L-arginine on the inflammatory response ischemic colitis in an experimental rat model. The animals used in the experiment were male Wistar rats, weighing between 240g and 310g For the induction of ischemic colitis, a solution of TNBS was instilled into the rectum. Blood samples were taken and the mice were subjected to total colectomy. To assess the severity of colitis, haematological, biochemical and histopathological criteria were used. For the statistical analysis of the results obtained we used Student’s t-test, or Welch test and Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance between the two groups was proved in complete blood count parameters: WBC, Hgb, MCV, MCH and in biochemical parameters: Gluc., SGOT, SGPT, CPK and especially MDA (Malonaldehyde), which is a critical parameter in experimental colitis. Histological examination of the control group (No 1) revealed epithelial necrosis, acute infiltration of the Lamina propria consisting of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophiles and macrophages, submucosal edema and development of granulation and fibrous tissue of the muscular layer. On the other hand in the L-Arginine group (No 2), the alterations were less and not widespread in all areas as in the control group. Some samples were almost intact and others revealed atrophy of mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal villae and minimal inflammation of the lamina propria. We concluded that L-Arginine and nitric oxide inhibitors may have a role in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in humans. Key words: inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, L-Arginine, ischemic colitis, nitric oxideapplication/pdfhttp://www.annalsgastro.gr/index.php/annalsgastro/article/view/391engHellenic Society of Gastroenterology1792-74631108-7471Annals of Gastroenterology; Volume 17, No 3 (2004)The effect of L-Arginine in experimental colitisinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion2007-03-19Δημοσίευση σε περιοδικόPublication in journalΓαστροεντερολογίαGastroenterologyisi -Gastroenterology & Hepatology covers resources on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology of the digestive system. This category includes specific resources on the prognosis and treatment of digestive diseases; stomach ulcers; metabolic, genetic, infectious and chemically induced diseases of the liver; colitis; diseases of the pancreas and diseases of the rectum.Επιστημονικό άρθροScientific articleΕλληνική Γαστροεντερολογική ΕταιρίαGreek Aggregator OpenArchives.gr | National Documentation Centre (EKT)other