l-arginine and l-citrulline supplementation accelerates second intention wound healing in iNOS knockout mice

Abstract

We evaluated the healing of cutaneous wounds in male wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice (iNOS) after supplementation with l-citrulline (CIT) and l-arginine (ARG). Were divided three groups: water (control); CIT (0.4 mg/kg) or ARG (0.4 mg/kg). A circular wound (10 mm2) was made in the skin. The wound area was smaller and the contraction rate was higher with ARG and CIT in WT and KO. Levels of CIT and ARG, and eNOS, iNOS, nNOS isoenzymes were identified, in which KO did not present iNOS. The total number of cells, blood vessels and collagen fibers type I and III and the levels of metalloproteinase-10 and SOD, CAT and GST were higher in the treatment with ARG and CIT on day 7. Oxidative markers such as MDA and CP, decreased in mice treated with ARG or CIT. ARG and CIT accelerated healing and tissue repair at morphological, histological and biochemical levels.

Keywords

• Amino acid
• Murines
• Skin lesions