title: [Pressor, renal and endocrine effects of systemic infusion of L-arginine in hypertensive patients].
abstract: In this study we compared the pressor, renal and endocrine effects of the physiological precursor of endothelial derived nitric oxide, L-arginine, with D-glucose, a substrate inactive on nitric oxide. Ten subjects with mild to moderate primary hypertension underwent infusion with either L-arginine (5 patients) or D-glucose (5 patients). The substances were infused over 25 min at equiosmolar rates, preceded and followed by a 25-min saline infusion. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were monitored at 3-min intervals; hormonal and humoral variables, inulin and para-aminohippurate clearance, and electrolyte excretion were measured at the end of each period at maximum diuresis. L-arginine and D-glucose brought about comparable increases in serum osmolality and similar hemodilution as compared with control saline. During L-arginine infusion, systolic and diastolic BP dropped by 16.6% and 11% respectively and recovered during the post-infusion period. Heart rate, plasma renin activity, and plasma norepinephrine did not change significantly. The percent BP decrease induced by L-arginine was significantly greater than that caused by D-glucose. Glomerular filtration rate remained stable, and renal plasma flow increased with both substances. However, only L-arginine stimulated markedly natriuresis, kaliuresis, and chloruresis. It also seemed to induce systemic acidosis, possibly as a consequence of hydrochloric acid generated during its metabolism. Circulating insulin, atrial natriuretic peptide, growth hormone, and glucagon levels increased, and plasma aldosterone remained unchanged during L-arginine infusion. During D-glucose infusion, insulin was stimulated and the other hormones were inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Istituto di I Clinica Medica, CNR e Università degli Studi di Pisa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dell'Omo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catapano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gazzano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ducci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Chicca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clerico
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pedrinelli
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D000450:Aldosterone; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005934:Glucagon; D001120:Arginine; D005947:Glucose