tailieunhanh - Anti-aging effects of l-arginine

l-Arginine is one of the most metabolically versatile amino acids. In addition to its role in the synthesis of nitric oxide, l-arginine serves as a precursor for the synthesis of polyamines, proline, glutamate, creatine, agmatine and urea. Several human and experimental animal studies have indicated that exogenous l-arginine intake has multiple beneficial pharmacological effects when taken in doses larger than normal dietary consumption. Such effects include reduction in the risk of vascular and heart diseases, reduction in erectile dysfunction, improvement in immune response and inhibition of gastric hyperacidity. This review summarises several positive studies and personal experiences of l-arginine. The demonstrated anti-aging benefits of l-arginine show greater potential than any pharmaceutical or nutraceutical agent ever previously discovered. | Journal of Advanced Research 2010 1 169-177 Cairo University Journal of Advanced Research REVIEW Anti-aging effects of L-arginine Mohamed Z. Gad Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology The German University in Cairo - GUC Main Entrance Al Tagamoa Al Khames New Cairo City 11835 Egypt Received 17 June 2009 received in revised form 16 August 2009 accepted 29 September 2009 Available online 9 June 2010 KEYWORDS L-Arginine Anti-aging Clinical pharmacology Metabolism Therapeutic use Abstract L-Arginine is one of the most metabolically versatile amino acids. In addition to its role in the synthesis of nitric oxide L-arginine serves as a precursor for the synthesis of polyamines proline glutamate creatine agmatine and urea. Several human and experimental animal studies have indicated that exogenous L-arginine intake has multiple beneficial pharmacological effects when taken in doses larger than normal dietary consumption. Such effects include reduction in the risk of vascular and heart diseases reduction in erectile dysfunction improvement in immune response and inhibition of gastric hyperacidity. This review summarises several positive studies and personal experiences of L-arginine. The demonstrated anti-aging benefits of L-arginine show greater potential than any pharmaceutical or nutraceutical agent ever previously discovered. 2010 Cairo University. All rights reserved. Metabolism of L-arginine an entrance to clinical value L-Arginine is a basic natural amino acid. Its occurrence in mammalian protein was discovered by Hedin in 1895 1 . L-Arginine is engaged in several metabolic pathways within the human body. It serves as a precursor for the synthesis not only of proteins but also of urea polyamines proline glutamate creatine and agmatine Fig. 1 2 . As part of this L-arginine is an essential component of the urea cycle the only pathway in mammals that allows the elimination of toxic ammonia from the body. Ornithine the by-product of this Tel. 20