Arginine is classified as a nonessential amino acid and therefore could be synthesized in the body in amounts adequate for the typical, healthy adult. Interest in arginine as a supplement for athletes who are involved with sprint or power sports may be related to its involvement within the synthesis of creatine. The outcomes from several studies also suggest that arginine may have a few effects on immune function. These effects may be independent of or related to nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Arginine functions like a precursor in the formation of NO. NO offers several different functions in your body and one of these functions is to act as an essential immune effector molecule. Absolutely no is formed from arginine as well as oxygen by nitric oxide supplement synthase (NOS). There are several types of NOS, but the one that is important with respect to immune function is actually inducible NOS (iNOS). Microorganisms or cytokines produced by the immune system stimulate the formation of iNOS, which eventually results in the actual synthesis of NO. NO acts as a cytotoxic particle and in that capacity can destroy growth cells, invading microorganisms, and viral-infected cells.
Immune Effects
Although arginine is really a precursor in the synthesis associated with NO, we are not aware of any studies up to now that have demonstrated an increased production of NO, in either individuals or animals consuming additional arginine in the diet. Recall that the NO produced by immune cells is dependent on iNOS. The gene product iNOS is triggered by an encounter with microbes, or induced through cytokines. Typically, cytokines are released in reaction to immune activation, such as exposure to an infectious agent. Therefore, simply because NO production is dependent on immune service, in the healthy condition, it may be less likely to locate an effect of arginine supplementation on NO manufacturing. In states of illness, injury, or patients undergoing surgery, a few studies have demonstrated that arginine supplementation does enhance particular aspects of immune reaction. Surgical patients or even breast cancer patients as well as injured animals show enhanced lymphocyte response to stimulation with mitogens. Other studies have found no effect on lymphocyte proliferation. Arginine supplementation could also have an antitumor effect in animal models, perhaps related to enhanced macrophage or NK cell cytotoxicity. However, arginine has also been shown to promote growth growth and therefore the effect of arginine supplementation upon tumor growth may be dependent on the type of growth.
Fewer studies have been performed to evaluate the result of arginine supplementation within healthy individuals. However, the findings from several studies show that roughly 30 g associated with arginine HCl or arginine aspartate supplementation for 1 to 2 weeks increases lymphocyte proliferation and wound healing in both young and elderly people. We are unaware of any studies of wholesome individuals that have shown an enhanced resistance to infection in association with dietary arginine supplementation. One study did examine arginine in addition zinc supplementation within the elderly as a possible method of increasing antibody reaction to influenza vaccination in the elderly. This study found no benefit of supplementation on antibody response. Arginine supplementation might have harmful effects. Extreme doses of arginine supplementation in vitro may hinder or suppress defense response and an suitable in vivo dose is not determined. It is important to remember that arginine supplementation may potentially end up being harmful for some types of patients, in particular individuals suffering from sepsis. This chance is an important area of research and it has been recommended that the effects of arginine supplements on NO manufacturing in septic burn patients be carefully evaluated.
The findings demonstrating an enhancement of immune function with arginine supplementation must be interpreted with caution. The mechanism by which arginine may alter immunity tend to be unknown. The level of other nutrients has not been well controlled in these studies and therefore the immune effects that were noticed may be related to deficiencies in certain nutrients or even adequate nitrogen in the control diets. It has also been suggested that arginine, by itself, does not alter immunity, but in combination with additional nutrients may have an impact on immune response. Another possibility to consider would be that the immunomodulatory effects of arginine are indirect and may result from the actual altered hormonal pattern following arginine intake. Catecholamines, adrenal cortical steroids, growth hormone, insulin, and prolactin release may be altered by arginine and each of those neuroendocrine factors has been shown individually to alter immunity. Consequently, the effects of arginine could be related to changes in the concentrations of these hormones and to our knowledge this possibility has not yet been investigated.
In conclusion, arginine supplementation might show some promise as to its possible enhancement of defense response particularly in individuals patients suffering from certain kinds of illness or injuries. In healthy individuals, dietary supplementation with arginine demands further research prior to any clear conclusions can be made with respect to improved immunity. The role of supplemental arginine and the potential effects it might have in sports athletes remain to be set up.
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