Alterations in whole-body arginine metabolism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition characterized by systemic low-grade inflammation that could increase the production of nitric oxide (NO), of which arginine is the sole precursor. Arginine is derived from the breakdown of protein and through the conversion of citrulline to arginine (de novo arginine production).

Objective

Our objective was to study whole-body arginine and citrulline and related metabolism in stable COPD patients.

Design

With the use of stable isotope methodology, we studied whole-body arginine and citrulline rates of appearance, de novo arginine (citrulline-to-arginine flux) and NO (arginine-to-citrulline flux) production, protein synthesis and breakdown rates, and plasma amino acid concentrations in a heterogeneo

SUBMITTER: Jonker R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4880996 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature