The role of L-arginine in the pathogenesis of essential arterial hypertension

Abstract

The role of arginine in the development of primary arterial hypertension continues to be clarified up to the present moment. During natural metabolic processes in cells, methylated forms of arginine are produced – symmetric (SDMA) and asymmetric (ADMA) dimethylarginine. ADMA is a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and is now considered a well-established marker for endothelial dysfunction. SDMA is not a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, but may indirectly reduce nitric oxide production through competitive interaction with cellular L-arginine.Currently, arginine preparations are practically not used for the treatment of primary arterial hypertension. This was the rationale for the given scientific review. The article summarizes the information available in the literature (2018–2022) on the pathogenetic mechanisms of the relationship between arginine and the development of impaired vascular tone. We used PubMed and RSCI databases for our review. Using keywords, 1784 publications were found over the past 5 years. The final selection criteria were time frame and matching keywords. The review provides data on the increased ADMA concentrations in experimental hypertensive animals and individuals with essential hypertension. The role of arginine metabolites in the genesis of endothelial dysfunction and arterial hypertension and the prospects for the therapeutic use of this compound are discussed.