title: L-Arginine, the substrate for NO synthesis: an alternative treatment for premature atherosclerosis?
abstract: L-Arginine is the substrate of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the main precursor of nitric oxide (NO) in the vascular endothelium. L-Arginine improves endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and smokers, while its role in diabetes remains unclear. Oral supplementation of L-arginine leads to a significant improvement of endothelium-dependent forearm vasodilation in hypercholesterolemic patients, while intravenous infusion of L-arginine improves endothelial function in healthy smokers. L-Arginine has anti-hypertensive properties, although its effects on endothelial function in hypertensive patients needs further evaluation. In conclusion, L-arginine administration may be useful in patients with premature atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Athens University Medical School, S. Karagiorga 69, Glifada, 16 675, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniades
authors.forename: Elli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stefanadi
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III