title: D-Arginine as a neuroprotective amino acid: promising outcomes for neurological diseases.
abstract: In humans, as in other mammals, endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential for adapting to physiological life stress. They are also crucial for the healthy development of the fetus. However, when the physiological concentrations of GCs increase over a long period of time, the central nervous system (CNS) is predisposed to the development of psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases. Here, I discuss the strong influence of GCs on the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). I also highlight supporting evidence for the neuroprotective actions of d-arginine (d-Arg) against neurotoxicity induced by high levels of GCs in the CNS. Given that d-Arg does not interfere with the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of GCs, this might be a novel way of neutralizing the neurotoxic effects of GCs in the CNS without compromising their positive peripheral actions.
authors.affiliation: National University of Northeast, School of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Corrientes 3400, Argentina. Electronic address: mgcanteros@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M Griselda
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Canteros
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D001120:Arginine