Immunoregulatory effects of L-arginine and therapeutical implications.
Arginine, initially classified as a non-essential amino acid, participates to multiple biological processes including release of several hormones, collagen synthesis during wound healing, antitumor and antibacterial activities and non-specific immunity. Nitric oxide synthase and arginase competes for L-arginine as a substrate and this event appears to play a key role in the regulation of the inflammatory process. In this framework recent studies have identified complex patterns of interactions among these enzymes. This review will emphasizes some effects of L-arginine on immune cell functions, including triggering of L-arginine-nitric oxide and arginase pathways, its biological properties and therapeutical applications.
Potenza
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, Section of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Bari, Italy. potenza@farmacol.uniba.it
Nacci
C
C
Mitolo-Chieppa
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D001120:Arginine