Short polymers of arginine rapidly translocate into vascular cells: effects on nitric oxide synthesis.

Rapid and efficient vascular transport of arginine polymers inhibits myointimal hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND We recently discovered that short polymers of arginine efficiently translocate across the cytoplasmic membrane independent of the basic amino acid transporter. We evaluated the kinetics and biological effects of heptamers of L-arginine and D-arginine (L-R7 and D-R7, respectively) in vascular cells. We assessed the effects of these peptides on the NO synthesis pathway and vascular cel...

Insulin Induces Relaxation and Decreases Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Vasoconstriction in Human Placental Vascular Bed in a Mechanism Mediated by Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels and L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathways

HIGHLIGHTS Short-term incubation with insulin increases the L-arginine transport in HUVECs.Short-term incubation with insulin increases the NO synthesis in HUVECs.Insulin induces relaxation in human placental vascular bed.Insulin attenuates the constriction induced by hydrogen peroxide in human placenta.The relaxation induced by insulin is dependent on BKCa channels activity in human placenta. ...

Arginase Activity and Its Effects on Pathogenesis of Leishmania

  Leishmaniasis is a tropical parasitic disease that has become a major health challenge in many countries of the world. Not only has not been found any effective vaccine or treatment for the disease eradication, but also the advent of drug resistance is also increasing. Therefore, it is vital to take a precise attention to the physiochemical cycles of the Leishmania parasite and to identify i...

Effect of nitric oxide on skin blood flow of intact and morphine- dependent rats

Introduction: The relation between morphine and nitric oxide release has been shown. Due to important role of nitric oxide in regulation of skin blood flow, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and nitric oxide synthesis precursor (L-arginine) on skin blood flow of intact and morphine-dependent rats. Methods: Skin blood flow of hind pa...

Investigation of the Changes in Serum Intercellular and Vascular Adhesion Molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and Nitric Oxide Levels in Response to Exercise Training and L-arginine Supplementation in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women