EN
The apoptotical effect of nitric oxide on effector apoptotical caspase 3 in rats' hepatocytes was examined. The experiment was performed on 16 white Wistar female rats divided into two equal groups. The rats from the experimental group received orally L-arginine in a dose of 40 mg/kg b.w. every other day for 2 weeks. The rats from the control group received orally 2 ml of distilled water in the same manner as the experimental group. All the rats were decapitated after 3 weeks of the experiment. After decapitation, specimens from the liver were collected, fixed in 10% formalin, and then embedded in paraffin blocks. Protein caspase 3 on slides was detected using the standard three-step immunohistochemical method. The quantitative evaluation of caspase 3 expression showed that the area occupied by positive caspase 3 reaction in the liver of the experimental group (128.11 µm²±96.54) was comparable to that in the control group (212.18 µm² ±1 16.59) (P=0.25). The dose of L-arginine used was similar to that applied in pregnant women treated for gestosis. The study shows that L-arginine as a donor of exogenous nitric oxide has no an apoptotic effect on rats' hepatocytes.