title: Therapeutic role of L-arginine on free radical scavenging system in ischemic heart diseases.
abstract: Increased production of free radicals under oxidative stress conditions plays a vital role in the impairment of endothelial function and also in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart diseases. Ischemia, followed by reperfusion, leads to the exacerbated formation of oxy- free radicals. These reactive oxygen species through a chain of reactions damage the cardiomyocytes and cause more injury to the myocardium. L-Arginine is reported to act as free radical scavenger, inhibits the activity of pro-oxidant enzymes and thus acts as an antioxidant and these roles of L-arginine are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, the effect of oral administration of L-arginine (3 g/day for 7 days) on some antioxidant enzymes, total thiols, lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), and plasma ascorbate levels in myocardial ischemic patients was investigated. We observed an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total thiols (T-SH) and plasma ascorbate levels and a decrease in the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), MDA levels, carbonyl content and serum cholesterol in the patients on oral administration of L-arginine. The present study demonstrates that L-arginine administration may be beneficial to patients with myocardial ischemic disorders, such as acute myocardial infarction and acute angina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow 226007, India.
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Misra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D016877:Oxidants; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001120:Arginine; D002784:Cholesterol; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid