L-arginine controls cardiac parameter defects induced by pregestational diabetes in offspring

Background: Offspring of diabetic mothers can have a transient cardiomyopathy, which is major complication of diabetes. L-arginine may aid in reducing the risk of cardiovascular-related complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other heart diseases. This observation indicates to examine the effect of arginine in off springs of diabetic mother with different physical andcardiac parameters. Methods: Female mice were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce pregestational diabetes prior to breeding with normal male to produce offspring. Off spring of diabetic mice were divided into two groups. The one group (Diabetic Arginine Group) of experimental offspring were given 50 mg L-arginine PO (free base, per kg body wt per day) for 2 months. Second group of animals were only STZ diabetic (Diabetic Group). Control group (non-diabetic) were given tap water. Body weight, blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, heart weight, LV weight and o- tyrosine level were measured. Result: Bodyweight, heart weight, heart rate, LV weight, and O-Tyrosine, Serum Glucose concentration showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in diabetic group (DG) compared with control groups while diabetic treatment group that has received L-Arginine showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease compared with diabetic group. Conclusion: Our data suggest that L-arginine controls the major biochemical abnormalities of diabetes in offspring caused by maternal hyperglycemia. It clearly indicates that accumulation of arginine can overcome the physical and cardiac parameters in diabetic offspring.