L-ARGEVINE TRANSPORT IN HUMAN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

摘要

Endothelial dysfunction is widely described in many cardiovascular disease states but the mechanisms that contribute to this abnormality are manifold and remain to be elucidated. We have developed methods to study L-arginine transport kinetics in man. Changes in L-arginine transport are not affected by differences in gendernor age but can be manipulated acutely by stimulation with acetylcholine. More importantly, L-argininetransport appears to play a pivotal role in disease development and may well be a therapeutic target forimproving outcome. L-arginine transport, both in the peripheral vasculature as well as in the myocardium, isdecreased in patients with congestive heart failure. This decrease is paralleled with a decrease in CAT-1 mRNA.