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- Title
AMINO ACIDS, ARGINASE AND NITRIC OXIDE IN VASCULAR HEALTH.
- Authors
Ngan Ngoc Huynh; Jaye Chin-Dusting
- Abstract
1. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a fundamental role in the vasculature because of its diverse influence in vascular protection, including its well-reported antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and vasodilator effects. In many vascular disease states, NO production is reduced as a result of endothelial dysfunction, in part caused by a decrease in substrate (l-arginine) availability. 2. The role ofl-arginine and other amino acids important in nitrogen balance has been re-examined in the context of their effects on vascular health. The metabolism ofl-arginine is complex because it is involved in a plethora of other pathways, such as urea, creatine and agmatine production.l-Arginine supplementation in patients with vascular disease is well reported to benefit patients therapeutically because of its effect on both NO-dependent and -independent mechanisms. 3. l-Arginine availability depends on the flux of other amino acids in the body, includingl-glutamine,l-glutamate,l-ornithine,l-citrulline andl-lysine. The role ofl-methionine and homocystine and their effect on NO also play an influential role in the body. 4. Recent data suggest that the key enzyme involved in thel-arginine–urea cycle, arginase, is coexpressed in NO-producing cells in the vasculature. In the present review, we examine the potential role of arginase as a therapeutic target for vascular health.
- Publication
Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology, 2006, Vol 33, Issue 1/2, p1
- ISSN
0305-1870
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04316.x