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Published on: December 16, 2021
Altered L-arginine metabolism in children with controlled asthma
Leszek Kraj1, Marta Krawiec, Marek Koter
1Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Children with well-controlled asthma show altered L-arginine metabolism, with lower L-arginine and higher L-citrulline and L-ornithine levels. These findings are crucial for managing pediatric asthma and developing future therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- L-arginine metabolism alterations are linked to adult asthma, affecting airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.
- Limited research exists on L-arginine metabolism in pediatric bronchial asthma.
- Growing children have insufficient L-arginine biosynthesis, making metabolic changes clinically significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate L-arginine metabolism in children with well-controlled asthma.
- To compare L-arginine, L-citrulline, and L-ornithine levels and arginase activity between asthmatic children and healthy controls.
- To assess correlations between metabolic markers, asthma control, and nitric oxide levels.
Main Methods:
- Blood serum analysis of 30 asthmatic and 20 healthy children using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Measurement of L-arginine, L-citrulline, and L-ornithine concentrations.
- Spectrophotometric determination of arginase activity.
- Evaluation of asthma control using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and exhaled nitric oxide (NO).
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children exhibited significantly lower L-arginine levels compared to controls.
- Levels of L-ornithine and L-citrulline were significantly increased in asthmatic children.
- Arginase activity remained unchanged, with no correlation found between amino acid levels, ACT scores, and exhaled NO.
Conclusions:
- Children with chronic, well-controlled asthma demonstrate altered L-arginine metabolism.
- These metabolic changes highlight the essential role of L-arginine in pediatric asthma management.
- Findings may inform future therapeutic strategies targeting L-arginine metabolism in non-exacerbated pediatric asthma.
Abstract:
Decreased level of L-arginine may lead to airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and airway remodeling. Changes in L-arginine metabolism were observed earlier in adult asthmatic patients. Studies on L-arginine metabolism in children with bronchial asthma are limited. Because biosynthesis of L-arginine is insufficient in growing children, its potential metabolic alterations may have important clinical implications. This study was designed to evaluate L-arginine metabolism in children with well-controlled asthma. The studies were conducted on blood serum of 30 asthmatic and 20 healthy children (control group). Levels of L-arginine and its metabolic products, L-citrulline and L-ornithine, were measured by HPLC. Arginase activity was determined spectrophotometrically. Disease severity was evaluated by the asthma control test (ACT) and the level of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air. In asthmatic children L-arginine concentration was significantly lowered, whereas arginase activity was unchanged when compared with the healthy group. However, L-ornithine and L-citrulline levels were significantly increased. There was no correlation between arginase activity, amino acids levels, ACT scores, and exhaled NO. In children with chronic, well-controlled asthma L-arginine metabolism is altered. Given that L-arginine is absolutely essential for children, our findings may be of particular importance for the management of children with non-exacerbated asthma. They may also help to develop new therapeutic strategies targeted at L-arginine metabolism in the future.
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