Beneficial effects of high dose of L-arginine on airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma

Background: Disturbance in the delicate balance between L-arginine metabolizing enzymes such as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase may lead to decreased L-arginine availability to constitutive forms of NOS (endothelial NOS), thereby increasing the nitro-oxidative stress and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of high doses of L-arginine on L-arginine metabolizing enzymes and subsequent biological effects such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate production, lipid peroxidation, peroxynitrite, AHR, and airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma. Methods: Different doses of L-arginine were administered to ovalbumin sensitized and challenged mice. Exhaled nitric oxide, AHR, airway inflammation, T(H)2 cytokines, goblet cell metaplasia, nitro-oxidative stress, and expressions of arginase 1, endothelial NOS, and inducible NOS in lung were determined. Results: L-arginine significantly reduced AHR and airway inflammation including bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia, TH2 cytokines, TGF-beta(1), goblet cell metaplasia, and subepithelial fibrosis. Further, L-arginine increased ENO levels and cyclic guanosine monophosphate in lung and reduced the markers of nitro-oxidative stress such as nitrotyrosine, 8-isoprostane, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. This was associated with reduced activity and expression of arginase 1, increased expression of endothelial NOS, and reduction of inducible NOS in bronchial epithelia. Conclusion: We conclude that L-arginine administration may improve disordered nitric oxide metabolism associated with allergic airway inflammation, and alleviates some features of asthma. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010;125:626-35.)