Arginine Therapy

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200208-967oc
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T01:50:20Z
• Authors: Claudia R. Morris; Sidney M. Morris; Ward Hagar; Jane van Warmerdam; Susan Claster; Diane Kepka-Lenhart; Lorenzo Machado; Frans A. Kuypers; Elliott P. Vichinsky
• Keywords: Acute chest syndrome

Pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease. L-Arginine the nitrogen donor for synthesis nitric oxide, potent vasodilator that deficient during times crisis. This deficiency may play role in pulmonary hypertension. The enzyme arginase hydrolyzes arginine to ornithine and urea, thus, it compete with oxide synthase, leading decreased production. Nitric therapy by inhalation has improved associated acute chest syndrome disease, several studies demonstrate therapeutic benefits primary secondary We sought determine effects on patients Arginase activity was also determined. Oral produced 15.2% mean reduction estimated artery systolic pressure (63.9 ± 13 54.2 12 mm Hg, p = 0.002) after 5 days 10 patients. elevated almost twofold (p 0.07) limit bioavailability. With limited treatment options high mortality rate disease who develop hypertension, promising new warrants further investigation.