This study evaluated the effects of L-arginine supplementation on blood parameters, kidney and liver function, immunoglobulins and noninflammatory infiltrates in the small intestines of rats subjected to chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups (8 rats/group): an untreated control group, and test groups receiving one dose of 5-FU (G group), one dose of 5-FU and 295 mg L-arginine/day (G group) or one dose of 5-FU and 458 mg L-arginine/day (G group). Neutrophil count, platelet count, serum IgA, and fibrinogen levels in G and G remained within normal limits after chemotherapy. In addition, in G the inflammatory bowel infiltrates improved in 57% of the rats, which showed mild inflammation. The results suggest that daily supplementation with 295 or 458 mg L-arginine attenuates the side effects of 5-FU, including thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, and modulates IgA production. Supplementation with 458 mg of L-arginine/day can also reduce mucositis levels in the small intestine after 5-FU chemotherapy.

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This article's objective was to evaluate the effects of the application of organic modifier on the weight gain of Nellore calves in the dry season, in the range grazing system of Urochloa decumbens. Sixty uncastrated Nellore (Bos indicus) calves were used, which were 11 to 12 months of age and were divided randomly into five lots (12 calves/lot): control lot (Lc) did not receive the organic modifier, and the lots L 10 and L 12 were administered with 10 and 12 mL subcutaneous injections, respectively, on day 0. The lots L 10+10 and L 12+12 were administered with 10 and 12 mL subcutaneous injections, respectively, on both day 0 and day 30 of the experiment. The animals were weighed on days 0 and 60. The animals from the lots L 10 , L 12 , and L 10+10 experienced a weight gain of 28.3%, 18.5%, and 28.3%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between these lots and the control allotment, Lc. The L 12+12 allotment experienced a weight gain that was 10.6% lower than the Lc, although there was not a significant difference between the allotments (p>0.05). We conclude that the administration of organic modifier does not increase the weight gain of cattle significantly and that the administration of excessive doses of organic modifier may be detrimental to the animal's weight gain.inforMAtion Cronología del artículo. Recibido/Efeito da injeção de modificador orgânico sobre o ganho de peso de bovinos nelore na estação da seca PAlAvrAs chAve AdicionAisSuplementação polivitamínico. Promotor de crescimento. Aditivo alimentar.