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First published online November 4, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 4263-4271 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01895

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The effects of L-arginine and L-NAME supplementation on redox-regulation and thermogenesis in interscapular brown adipose tissue

Vesna Petrovi¹, Aleksandra Kora², Biljana Buzadzi¹ and Bato Kora^1,*

¹ Department of Physiology, Institute for Biological Research, `Sinia Stankovi', University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
² Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: koracb{at}ibiss.bg.ac.yu)

Accepted 22 September 2005

Changes in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels and its relationship with the hyperplasia and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) levels were examined in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) of adult rat males receiving L-arginine (L-Arg; 2.25%) or N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 0.01%) as a drinking liquid and maintained at low (4±1°C) or room (22±1°C) temperature for 45 days.

Cold generally diminished both iNOS immunopositivity and protein level in IBAT, as well as the rate of apoptosis. Among groups acclimated to cold, higher iNOS immunopositivity and protein levels were detected only in the L-Arg-treated group. Furthermore, chronic L-Arg treatment increased IBAT mass and UCP1 protein content, while L-NAME had an opposite effect, decreasing both IBAT mass and UCP1 protein level, as compared to the control maintained at 4±1°C.

These data suggest that nitric oxide (NO) produced by iNOS could also contribute to overall NO-associated regulation of thermogenesis in IBAT. Namely, that iNOS, i.e. NO, in correlation with enhanced thermogenesis, additionally induced IBAT hyperplasia and UCP1 level compared to that induced by low temperature. Cooperative action of decreased apoptosis accompanied by increased tissue hyperplasia and UCP1 level, observed in IBAT of cold-acclimated rats, would be a way of meeting the metabolic requirements for increased thermogenesis.

Key words: interscapular brown adipose tissue, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, uncoupling protein 1, cold, apoptosis, MnSOD, glutathione, rat

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