Novel metabolic roles of L-arginine in body energy metabolism and possible clinical applications

Abstract

Although the body can synthesize L-arginine, exogenous supplementation may be sometimes necessary, especially in particular conditions which results in depleted endogenous source. Among diseases and states when exogenous supplementation may be necessary are: burns, severe wounds, infections, insufficient circulation, intensive physical activity or sterility. In recent time, the attention was paid to the use of L-arginine supplementation by athletes during intensive sport activity, to enhance tissue growth and general performance, to potentiate the ergogenic potential and muscle tolerance to high intensive work and gas exchange threshold, to decrease ammonia liberation and recovery performance period and to improve wound healing. High-intensity exercise produces transient hyperammoniemia, presumably due to AMP catabolism. Catabolic pathways of AMP may involve its deamination or dephosphorylation, mainly in order to compensate fall in adenylate enrgy charge (AEC), due to AMP rise. The enzymes of purine metabolism have been documented to be particularly sensitive to the effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation. L-arginine supplementation leads to redirection of AMP deamination on account of increased AMP dephosphorylation and subsequent adenosine production and may increase ATP regeneration via activation of AMP kinase (AMPK) pathway. The central role of AMPK in regulating cellular ATP regeneration, makes this enzyme as a central control point in energy homeostasis. The effects of L-arginine supplementation on energy expenditure were successful independently of age or previous disease, in young sport active, elderly, older population and patients with angina pectoris.

Potential benefits of arginine formulation in oral health care products

“…31 The functions of Arg has revealed that it is in involved in the regulation of immune cells in cancer, inflammation, infections, etc. 26,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Arg is synthesized from glutamine, glutamate, and proline via the intestinal-renal axis in humans and other mammals (such as pigs, sheep, and rats). 32 Although the body can synthesize Arg, its supplementation may be necessary, particular in conditions which results in depleted endogenous source.…”

“…In addition, it has been reported to reduce the pathogenicity of herpes simplex and influenza viruses, probably due to compromised function of proteins in the envelope . The functions of Arg has revealed that it is in involved in the regulation of immune cells in cancer, inflammation, infections, etc …”

“…Arg is synthesized from glutamine, glutamate, and proline via the intestinal‐renal axis in humans and other mammals (such as pigs, sheep, and rats) . Although the body can synthesize Arg, its supplementation may be necessary, particular in conditions which results in depleted endogenous source . Among pathophysiological conditions where exogenous supplementation may be essential are burns, severe wounds, infections, insufficient circulation, intense physical activity, etc .…”

Putative Prophylaxes of Aloe Vera Juice with L-arginine to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

“…The central role of AMPK in regulating cellular ATP regeneration, makes this enzyme as a central control point in energy homeostasis. Hirstina K., and his colleagues reported that the effects of L-arginine supplementation on energy expenditure were successful independently of age or previous disease, in young sport active, elderly, older population and patients with angina pectoris [29] . Mariotti F., and his colleagues investigated the kinetics and dosdependency of dietary arginine utilization for NO compared with urea synthesis and studied the characteristics of the arginine-NO metabolic system in healthy humans.…”

Brain metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: The prospect of a metabolite-based therapy

“…Ketoacids have been utilized in remedying renal dysfunction, muscle fatigue, heart defects and burns (58,59,60). In a more recent example, L-arginine's positive effects on supplementation of energy expenditure regardless of age, previous incidence of diseases or activity shows promise as a metabolite therapy (61). The ketoacids like αKG and ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, a precursor of amino acids such as glutamine, arginine and proline have shown to be effective modulators of muscle protein metabolism.…”