Abstract
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that is required during periods of maximal growth, severe stress, and injury. Arginine is a substrate for protein synthesis but also modulates cellular biochemical functions via conversion to a number of biologically active compounds. Arginine is utilized by a vast variety of metabolic pathways that produce a variety of biologically active compounds such as nitric oxide, creatine phosphate, agmatine, polyamines, ornithine, and citrulline. Arginine supply is primarily regulated by two enzyme systems: arginase (part of the urea cycle) and nitric oxide synthase. Arginine has many effects in the body that include modulation of immune function, wound healing, hormone secretion, vascular tone, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. Arginine mediates its effects via nitric oxide independent and dependent pathways. Nitric oxide modulates many cellular functions that include vascular tone, expression of adhesion molecules, leukocyte adhesion, and platelet aggregation. Arginine modulates the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, improves immune function in healthy and ill patients, stimulates wound healing in healthy and ill patients, and modulates carcinogenesis and tumor growth. Thus, arginine is a biologically active dietary compound with numerous physiologic and pharmacological activities.
Keywords: arginine, semi-essential amino acid, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Cellular and Physiological Effects of Arginine
Volume: 4 Issue: 8
Author(s): Betty C. Tong and Adrian Barbul
Affiliation:
Keywords: arginine, semi-essential amino acid, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis
Abstract: Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that is required during periods of maximal growth, severe stress, and injury. Arginine is a substrate for protein synthesis but also modulates cellular biochemical functions via conversion to a number of biologically active compounds. Arginine is utilized by a vast variety of metabolic pathways that produce a variety of biologically active compounds such as nitric oxide, creatine phosphate, agmatine, polyamines, ornithine, and citrulline. Arginine supply is primarily regulated by two enzyme systems: arginase (part of the urea cycle) and nitric oxide synthase. Arginine has many effects in the body that include modulation of immune function, wound healing, hormone secretion, vascular tone, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. Arginine mediates its effects via nitric oxide independent and dependent pathways. Nitric oxide modulates many cellular functions that include vascular tone, expression of adhesion molecules, leukocyte adhesion, and platelet aggregation. Arginine modulates the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, improves immune function in healthy and ill patients, stimulates wound healing in healthy and ill patients, and modulates carcinogenesis and tumor growth. Thus, arginine is a biologically active dietary compound with numerous physiologic and pharmacological activities.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tong C. Betty and Barbul Adrian, Cellular and Physiological Effects of Arginine, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 4 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403305
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403305 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Development and Validation of a UPLC-MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous
Determination of Verapamil and Trandolapril in Rat Plasma: Application
to a Pharmacokinetic Study
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Small Interfering RNAs and Antisense Oligonucleotides for Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Current Drug Targets Recent Applications of Doebner, Doebner-von Miller and Knoevenagel-Doebner Reactions in Organic Syntheses
Current Organic Synthesis Sepsis, Coagulation and Anticoagulants
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Ethosomes as Novel Vesicular Carrier: An Overview of the Principle, Preparation and its Applications
Current Drug Delivery Cannabinoid System as a Potential Target for Drug Development in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology Multiple Functions of Mammalian Germinal Center Kinases
Current Chemical Biology Evaluation of Selected Natural Compounds as Dual Inhibitors of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and Monoamine Oxidase
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Ivabradine: A Current Overview
Current Clinical Pharmacology Potential Biomarkers in Diabetic Retinopathy
Current Diabetes Reviews New Antihypertensive Drugs Under Development
Current Medicinal Chemistry New Pharmacologic Horizons in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Current Drug Therapy Improving Pediatric Survival from Resuscitation Events: The Role and Organization of Hospital-based Rapid Response Systems and Code Teams
Current Pediatric Reviews Blood Pressure Reduction in the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Stroke
Current Vascular Pharmacology Heteroaromatization with 4-Phenyldiazenyl-1-naphthol. Part IV: Synthesis of Some New Heterocyclic Compounds with Potential Biological Activity
Current Organic Synthesis Postoperative Care of the Transplanted Patient
Current Cardiology Reviews Targeting Established Tumor Vasculature: A Novel Approach to Cancer Treatment
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews New Biological Approaches in Asthma: DNA-Based Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Role of Central and Peripheral Chemoreceptors in Vasopressin Secretion Control
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Pediatric Chronic Daily Headache
Current Pediatric Reviews