Enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis by L-arginine supplementation in renal disease: is it good or bad?
L-Arginine is a important component of our diet characterized by multiple physiological and pharmacological actions. In the last decade, this amino acid has attracted major interest since it has been identified as the natural substrate of nitric oxide, and is now recognized to play a major role in the regulation of vascular tone. This review, while summarizing the knowledge of the renal actions of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway in health and renal disease, focuses on the potential therapeutic implications of the increase in nitric oxide synthesis attained by L-arginine supplementation.
De Nicola
L
L
Nephrology Division, School of Medicine-University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Minutolo
R
R
Bellizzi
V
V
Andreucci
M
M
La Verde
A
A
Cianciaruso
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine