L-Arginine effects on blood pressure and renal function of intrauterine restricted rats.

We have previously demonstrated that 3-month-old rats submitted to 50% intrauterine food restriction showed a decreased number of nephrons with increased glomerular diameter, a fact that suggests compensatory hypertrophy. In the present study, we extended the investigation and performed serial blood pressure measurements and renal function evaluation in 8- and 12-week-old rats submitted to 50% intrauterine food restriction (groups R8 and R12) and in age-matched control rats (groups C8 and C12). After weaning, six to eight animals from each group received oral supplements of 2% L-arginine ( L-arg) solution for 4 or 8 weeks (groups CA8, CA12, RA8, RA12).