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L-Arginine transport in disease
Antônio Cláudio Mendes Ribeiro1, Tatiana M C Brunini
1Departamento de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil. cribeiro@physiol.ox.ac.uk
Current Medicinal Chemistry. Cardiovascular and Hematological Agents
|August 24, 2004
Summary
Altered amino acid transport, particularly L-arginine, is linked to various diseases. Studying L-arginine transport in blood cells offers insights into conditions like heart failure and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Physiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Membrane transport is crucial for normal cell function.
- The role of amino acid transport alterations in disease pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- L-arginine, a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), plays a vital role in vascular and immune functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the alterations in L-arginine transport in various disease states.
- To highlight the significance of L-arginine transport as a rate-limiting step for NO production.
- To explore the connection between L-arginine transport and pathological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes kinetic experiments with blood cells as a model system.
- Reviews existing literature on L-arginine transport in disease.
- Focuses on specific conditions including uraemia, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, septic shock, and sickle cell disease.
Main Results:
- Alterations in L-arginine transport are implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases.
- L-arginine transport kinetics can serve as a biomarker for disease states.
- Dysregulated NO production due to impaired L-arginine transport contributes to disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding L-arginine transport is critical for elucidating disease mechanisms.
- Targeting L-arginine transport may offer therapeutic strategies for NO-related disorders.
- Further research into amino acid transport in disease is warranted.