Abstract

The amino acid, L-Arginine (L-Arg) plays an important role in the cardiovascular system. Data from the literature show that L-Arg is the only substrate for the production of nitric oxide (NO), from which L-Arg develops its effects on the cardiovascular system. As a free radical, NO is synthesized in all mammalian cells by L-Arg with the activity of NO synthase (NOS). In states of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and vascular inflammation a disorder occurs in the metabolic pathway of the synthesis of NO from L-Arg which all together bring alterations of blood vessels. Experimental results obtained on animals, as well as clinical studies show that L-Arg has an effect on thrombocytes, on the process of coagulation and on the fibrolytic system. This mini review represents a summary of the latest scientific animal and human studies related to L-Arg and its mechanisms of actions with a focus on the role of L-Arg via NO pathway in cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, here we present data from recent animal and clinical studies suggesting that L-Arg could be one of the possible therapeutic molecules for improving the treatment of different cardiovascular disorders.

Keywords: Amino acid, Arginase, cardiovascular system, cardiovascular disorders, L-Arg, NO, NOS.