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

Abstract

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 UCPl level compared to that induced by low temperature. Cooperative action of decreased apoptosis accompanied by increased tissue hyperplasia and UCPl level, observed in IBAT of cold-acclimated rats, would be a way of meeting the metabolic requirements for increased thermogenesis.