title: Measurement of arginine metabolites: regulators of nitric oxide metabolism.
abstract: Arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and arginine availability regulates the production of nitric oxide. Through the activity of methyltransferases, arginine can be methylated to form monomethylarginine (NMMA), asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), and symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA). NMMA and ADMA directly inhibit NOS, whereas SDMA inhibits the cellular import of arginine through the cationic amino acid transporter. Increased levels of methylarginine compounds have been associated with many diseases including atherosclerosis, renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, and preeclampsia. Previous HPLC methods to measure these molecules rely on derivatization with ortho-phthalaldehyde, which is unstable and requires immediate pre- or post-column reactions. We have identified a new fluorometric agent that is stable for at least 1 week and provides chromatographic properties that facilitate separation of these chemically similar compounds by reverse phase chromatography.
authors: Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Molly S
authors: MS
authors: Augustine
authors: Lynette K
authors: LK
authors: Rogers
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D002138:Calibration; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D001120:Arginine
keywords: ADMA; HPLC; arginine; methylarginine