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Relationship among manganese, arginase, and nitric oxide in childhood asthma

A Kocyigit1, D Zeyrek, H Keles

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Harran University, 63200 Sanliurfa, Turkey.

Biological Trace Element Research
|December 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Low manganese (Mn) intake increases bronchial reactivity risk. This study found lower Mn and arginase activity, but higher nitric oxide (NO) in children with asthma, suggesting Mn deficiency may elevate NO production.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Low manganese (Mn) intake is linked to increased bronchial reactivity.
  • Asthma patients exhibit elevated nitric oxide (NO) production.
  • A reciprocal pathway exists between arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for NO production, with Mn being crucial for arginase.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma levels of NO, arginase, and Mn in children with asthma.
  • To evaluate the reciprocal pathway between arginase and NOS in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma samples were collected from 31 children with asthma and 22 healthy controls.
  • Arginase activity, Mn concentration, and NO levels were measured in plasma.

Main Results:

  • Children with asthma showed significantly lower plasma arginase activity and Mn concentrations compared to controls.
  • Asthmatic children had significantly higher plasma NO levels.
  • Positive correlation observed between plasma Mn and arginase; negative correlations between arginase and NO, and Mn and NO in asthmatic children.

Conclusions:

  • Lower Mn concentrations in asthmatic children may lead to reduced arginase activity.
  • Reduced arginase activity could upregulate NO production by increasing L-arginine availability in pediatric asthma.

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