Arginase increases total pancreatic and islet blood flow in anaesthetized mice

• BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that the high basal pancreatic islet blood perfusion is crucially dependent on nitric oxide formation. Arginase can interfere with the formation of nitric oxide by limiting substrate availability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of arginase on islet blood perfusion in anaesthetized mice. METHODS: The blood perfusion of the pancreatic islets was measured with a microsphere technique in anaesthetized NMRI mice after administration of arginase. RESULTS: Arginase administration increased both total pancreatic and islet blood flow to the same degree. Also adrenal blood flow was increased, whereas other organ blood flow values were unaffected. CONCLUSION: Arginase induces a paradoxical increase in pancreatic and islet blood flow, the reasons for which are still unknown.

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