ENHANCEMENT OF NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHESIS BY L-ARGININE SUPPLEMENTATION IN RENAL-DISEASE - IS IT GOOD OR BAD

L-Arginine is a important component of our diet characterized by multi ple physiological and pharmacological actions. In the last decade, thi s amino acid has attracted major interest since it has been identified as the natural substrate of nitric oxide, and is now recognized to pl ay a major role in the regulation of vascular tone. This review, while summarizing the knowledge of the renal actions of the L-arginine/nitr ic oxide pathway in health and renal disease, focuses on:the potential therapeutic implications of the increase in nitric oxide synthesis at tained by L-arginine supplementation.