Effect of arginine on immune function in rats with obstructive jaundice.

In this study we used an experimental model produced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats to demonstrate relation between immune function and susceptibility to infection associated with obstructive jaundice and immunoregulatory effect of arginine in BDL rats. Our experimental results showed that thymus weight, content of lymphocytes in thymus and responsiveness to Con A in vitro were dramatically reduced in BDL rats as compared to rats with sham operation and that the impairment of lymphocyte function was significantly related to the susceptibility to infection. Arginine, as a T cell stimulator, markedly improved immune function and decreased susceptibility to infection of BDL rats.