L-Arginine (hydrochloride)

L-Arginine (hydrochloride) is the biological precursor of NO which serves as an important signal and effector molecule in animals. L-Arginine is a substrate for NO synthase which catalyzes the oxidation of L-arginine to NO and L-citrulline. NO released by vascular endothelial cells results in relaxation of strips of vascular tissue, as well as inhibition of platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion. L-arginine can be utilized by vascular endothelial cells for NO synthesis, and thereby serves as a potent vasodilator.

References:

1. Stuehr DJ. Enzymes of the L-arginine to nitric oxide pathway. Journal of Nutrition, 2004, 134(10 Suppl): 2748S-2751S.

2. Palmer RM, Ashton DS, Moncada S. Vascular endothelial cells synthesize nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nature, 1988, 333(6174): 664-666.

3. Morikawa E, Moskowitz MA, Huang Z, et al. L-arginine infusion promotes nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation, increases regional cerebral blood flow, and reduces infarction volume in the rat. Stroke, 1994, 25(2): 429-435.