Diet, immunity and inflammation: 21. Arginine and immune function

Diet, immunity and inflammation: 21. Arginine and immune function
ISBN-10
0128087137
ISBN-13
9780128087138
Series
Diet, immunity and inflammation
Category
Medical
Pages
760
Language
English
Published
2013-09-30
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. Chapters
Author
G. Wu

Description

L-Arginine (Arg) was traditionally classified as a nutritionally non-essential amino acid for infant and adult humans; however, it is now known that besides serving as a building block for protein, it plays an essential role in the functions of the immune system. Arg is a physiological substrate for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which is a key mediator of immune responses. Additionally, emerging evidence shows that Arg exerts a regulatory role in signal transduction pathways involving mammalian (or mechanistic) targets of rapamycin and specific mitogen-activated protein kinases in immunocytes, thereby affecting immunity. Because of high requirements for Arg in multiple metabolic pathways, dietary Arg supplementation may be a necessary strategy to maintain Arg homeostasis for good health and body functions under many physiological and pathological conditions. Much experimental and clinical data support the notion that Arg is an essential nutrient for both innate and adaptive immune systems in humans and other animals. An important outcome of this research is the availability of Arg- supplemented foods for humans and feed-grade Arg for livestock species. Future studies are needed to address the safety issue of chronic Arg supplementation to mammals so as to fully realize the health benefits of Arg as a functional amino acid.

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