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L-homoarginine is associated with decreased cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality
Maserame Cleopatra Mokhaneli1, Shani Botha-Le Roux1,2, Carla Maria Theresia Fourie1,2
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Insights
Higher levels of L-homoarginine, an L-arginine analogue, are linked to lower risks of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in South Africans. This suggests L-homoarginine may be a target for cardiovascular disease management.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- L-homoarginine, an endogenous analogue of L-arginine, shows potential for improving vascular homeostasis.
- Research is needed to understand the association between L-homoarginine and mortality risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between L-homoarginine levels and 10-year risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
- To examine this association in a black South African population.
Main Methods:
- Included 669 black South African participants with a mean age of 59.5 years.
- Mortality data collected via verbal autopsy over a 10-year follow-up period.
- Plasma L-homoarginine levels measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Survivors exhibited significantly higher plasma L-homoarginine levels (1.25 µM) compared to nonsurvivors (0.89 µM).
- Higher L-homoarginine levels were associated with reduced 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk (HR per SD increment: 0.61).
- Higher L-homoarginine levels were also associated with reduced 10-year all-cause mortality risk (HR per SD increment: 0.59).
Conclusions:
- Elevated L-homoarginine levels correlate with a decreased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
- Further research into regulating L-homoarginine levels as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease is warranted.
Background:
Increasing evidence suggests that L-homoarginine, an endogenous analogue of the amino acid L-arginine, may have beneficial effects on vascular homeostasis. We examined whether L-homoarginine is associated with 10-year risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a black South African population.
Methods:
We included 669 black South African participants (mean age 59.5 years), 143 of whom died during the 10-year follow-up period. Mortality data were acquired via verbal autopsy. Plasma L-homoarginine (and other related markers) were analysed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results:
Survivors had higher L-homoarginine levels compared with nonsurvivors (1.25 µM vs. 0.89 µM; P < .001). Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that higher plasma L-homoarginine predicted a reduction in 10-year cardiovascular (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment, 0.61; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.75) and all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment, 0.59; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.84) mortality risk.
Conclusion:
Higher L-homoarginine levels are associated with reduced risk of 10-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Regulation of L-homoarginine levels as a therapeutic target in the management of cardiovascular disease should be investigated.
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