Therapeutic modification of the L-arginine-eNOS pathway in cardiovascular diseases.
L-Arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide production. Endothelium dysfunction could be attributed to L-arginine deficiency or the presence of L-arginine endogenous inhibitors. This hypothesis leads to the assumption that provision of L-arginine could be the key for endothelial function improvement. Many studies have proven that L-arginine has a beneficial effect on endothelium dependent vasoreactivity, as well as on the interaction between vascular wall, platelets and leucocytes. Therefore, individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis and patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure, could benefit from therapy with L-arginine.
Goumas
G
G
Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Vas. Sofias 114, 11528, Athens, Greece.
Tentolouris
C
C
Tousoulis
D
D
Stefanadis
C
C
Toutouzas
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; C419706:NOSIP protein, human; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases