Influence of arginine dietary supplementation on healing colonic anastomosis in the rat

Abstract

Perioperative arginine deficiency in the rat model is associated with impaired anastomotic healing during the first week, as reflected by lower bursting pressures. Arginine supplementation to 3 percent does not improve bursting pressures above those found in the usual 1 percent arginine diet at 6, 10, or 14 days. Bursting pressures plateau by Day 10 regardless of perioperative dietary arginine, whereas collagen content peaks at Day 10 after six-day perioperative arginine diet manipulation.