Elevated plasma concentrations of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine in citrullinemia

Metabolism. 2006 Dec;55(12):1599-603. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2006.07.020.

Abstract

Citrullinemia is an inborn error of the urea cycle with deficiency of the argininosuccinate synthase. It is characterized by elevated concentrations of l-citrulline and decreased levels of l-arginine in body fluids. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase that converts l-arginine to l-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO). Asymmetric dimethylarginine is hydrolyzed by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase to l-citrulline and dimethylamine. Elevation of l-citrulline in citrullinemia prompted us to study the l-arginine/NO pathway in this disorder. In 8 children with citrullinemia (3 days to 3 years of age), elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (P = .028) were found compared with age-matched healthy children. We hypothesize that the l-arginine/NO pathway plays a role in the pathophysiology of citrullinemia.

MeSH terms

  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Arginine / blood
  • Arginine / physiology
  • Arginine / urine
  • Citrullinemia / blood*
  • Citrullinemia / etiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / blood*
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Arginine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase