Effect of L-arginine and L-lysine on lysosomal hydrolases and membrane bound phosphatases in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats.

The protective effect of L-arginine and L-lysine on lysosomal enzymes and membrane bound ATPases was examined on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats. Lysosomal enzymes play an important role in the inflammatory process. The rats given isoproterenol (150 mg kg(-1) daily) intraperitoneally for 2 days showed significant changes in the marker enzymes, lysosomal enzymes and membrane bound phosphatases. Histopathological studies also confirmed the induction of myocardial infarction in isoproterenol administered rats. Prior oral treatment with L-arginine (250 mg kg(-1) daily) and L-lysine (5 mg kg(-1) daily) for 5 days significantly prevented these alterations and restored the enzyme activities to near normal. These findings demonstrate the protective effect of L-arginine and L-lysine in combination against isoproterenol induced cardiac damage.