L-citrulline provides a novel strategy for treating chronic pulmonary hypertension in newborn infants
Candice D Fike, Marshall Summar, Judy L Aschner, Candice D Fike, Marshall Summar, Judy L Aschner
Abstract
Effective therapies are urgently needed for infants with forms of pulmonary hypertension that develop or persist beyond the first week of life. The L-arginine nitric oxide (NO) precursor, L-citrulline, improves NO signalling and ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in newborn animals. In vitro studies demonstrate that manipulating L-citrulline transport alters NO production.
Conclusion: Strategies that increase the supply and transport of L-citrulline merit pursuit as novel approaches to managing infants with chronic, progressive pulmonary hypertension.
Keywords: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Nitric oxide; Oxidative stress; Premature infants; Pulmonary hypertension.
©2014 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Source: PubMed