Abstract Title:

Inhibition of chronic rejection of aortic allografts by dietary glycine.

Abstract Source:

Transplantation. 2000 Mar 15;69(5):773-80. PMID: 10755525

Abstract Author(s):

M Yin, I Rusyn, R Schoonhoven, L M Graves, E V Rusyn, X Li, F Li, A D Cox, T W Harding, H Bunzendahl, J A Swenberg, R G Thurman

Abstract:

 BACKGROUND: Chronic rejection is influenced by a variety of risk factors, including histoincompatibility and ischemia. Glycine, a cytoprotective agent, has been shown to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver, inactivate hepatic resident macrophages, minimize cyclosporin A-induced nephrotoxicity, and exhibit immunosuppressive properties in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dietary glycine could reduce development of chronic rejection. METHODS: Lewis recipients of Fisher-344 abdominal aortic allografts received diets that contained either 5% glycine plus 15% casein or 20% casein as control for 10 weeks. Vascular lesions of aortic isografts and allografts were evaluated quantitatively with image analysis and cell counting. RESULTS: No significant vascular changes were observed in isografts (mean medial areas of 3.3 +/- 0.3x0(5) microm2). However, dramatic intimal thickening (neointimal area 2.1+/-0.3) and medial thinning (1.5+/-0.3) were observed in allografts from rats fed control diet. In contrast, glycine significantly reduced the neointima by 45% (1.2+/-0.3) and protected the media (3.5+/-0.2). This led to intima to media area ratios almost twice as large in the control group as in glycine-fed rats (2.2+/-0.4 vs. 1.1+/-0.3, P<0.05). Moreover, infiltrating leukocytes, especially macrophages, were reduced significantly in the adventitia by glycine. In addition, glycine inhibited proliferation and migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture by 45 and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that dietary glycine minimizes histopathological changes of chronic rejection by reducing the immune response and, in part, by minimizing proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells.

Study Type : Animal Study

Print Options


Key Research Topics

This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2008-2024 GreenMedInfo.com, Journal Articles copyright of original owners, MeSH copyright NLM.