AMINO-ACID-METABOLISM AND THE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM - REGULATION AND DISEASE IMPLICATIONS

Amino acid metabolism by the vascular endothelium is a complex process that often begins with the carrier-mediated uptake of circulating ami no acids into the endothelial cytoplasm. Amino acids are essential for maintaining intact endothelial functions, which include cell prolifer ation, regulation of blood flow and vascular tone, coagulation and fib rinolysis, and metabolism of a variety of macromolecules. The disturba nces in endothelial amino acid transport and metabolism that occur dur ing infection and inflammation are due, in part, to changes in substra te availability and to the local and/or systemic elaboration of specif ic mediators. An improved understanding of endothelial amino acid meta bolism will not only provide new knowledge regarding disease mechanism s and regulation, but may also lead to new treatment strategies that m ay include the clinical use of specific nutritional formulas.