Effects of prolonged L-arginine administration on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension (EH).
L-arginine (L-Arg) was administered intravenously through 4 consecutive days to 20 males (40-63 years old) with essential hypertension (EH). Significant decrease (p < 0.02) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed only during the first day of the therapy and tachyphylaxis against L-Arg was noticed. The reduction of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was more marked (p < 0.001). Significant changes in cGMP plasma level and the nitrite/nitrate urine concentration were not observed. L-Arg caused a significant activation of fibrinolysis (p < 0.005). The decrease of platelet activity, measured by the ADP-induced aggregation, after L-Arg administration was not statistically significant. Therefore, L-Arg may play only a secondary role in the treatment of EH.
Malczewska-Malec
M
M
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
Goldsztajn
P
P
Kawecka-Jaszcz
K
K
Czarnecka
D
D
Siedlecki
A
A
Siemienska
T
T
Dembinska-Kiec
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000097:blood; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D001120:Arginine; D006152:Cyclic GMP