Arginine, nitric oxide and endothelial function
Keywords:
Arginine, Nitric oxide, Endothelial functionAbstract
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid with major physiological functions. One of the most outstanding of such is itsrole as an amino acid precursor of nitric oxide, a molecule produced, in many tissues, from arginine by the nitric oxidesynthase enzyme. Within the vascular endothelium, nitric oxide behaves as a vasodilator, antiatherogenic, and anti-plaqueaggregation agent. The detailed study of this enzymatic reaction indicates that nitric oxide synthase presents high affinity,for its substrate, arginine, which is found in high concentrations in the endothelium. Consequently, it is surprising thatthe functionality of this enzyme is conditioned by variations in concentrations of arginine, produced by nutritional intake.This is known as «the arginine paradox». However, the existence of an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor,known as asymmetric dimethylarginine, has been recently demonstrated. This compound would decrease the formationof nitric oxide through competitive inhibition with the natural substrate, arginine. It is for this reason that dietarysupplementation with arginine would be important as a means to counteracting such an effect. In addition to arginine,there are other dietary components which may also influence the synthesis of nitric oxide by the vascular endothelium.Downloads
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