L-Arginine

L-Arginine ((S)-(+)-Arginine) is the substrate for the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to generate NO. L-Arginine is transported into vascular smooth muscle cells by the cationic amino acid transporter family of proteins where it is metabolized to nitric oxide (NO), polyamines, or L-proline. L-Arginine is a potent vasodilator, and can be used to induce experimental acute pancreatitis[1][2][3][4][5].

[1]Tapiero H, et al. I. Arginine. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Nov;56(9):439-45.|[2]Bakker J, et al. Administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-methyl-L-arginine hydrochloride (546C88) by intravenous infusion for up to 72 hours can promote the resolution of shock in patients with severe sepsis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study (study no. 144-002). Crit Care Med. 2004 Jan;32(1):1-12.|[3]Yamada M, et al. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent cerebral blood flow augmentation by L-arginine after chronic statin treatment. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2000 Apr;20(4):709-17.|[4]Mizunuma T, et al. Effects of injecting excess arginine on rat pancreas. J Nutr. 1984 Mar;114(3):467-71.|[5]Siriviriyakul P, et al. Effects of curcumin on oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in mice. Heliyon. 2019 Aug 27;5(8):e02222.