A potential role for arginase in recurrent infections and hypertrophy of tonsillar and adenoidal tissue

Since arginase has been found to be an arginine-depleting and nitric oxide synthase-regulating enzyme, the present study was devised to examine hypert rophied and infected tonsil and adenoid arginase activity in relation to a metabolic arginase-nitric oxide pathway and its association with disease pr ocesses. Tissues were taken from 32 children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. There was a statistically significant difference between the two tissue en zyme activities, with tonsillar arginase activity being higher than the cor responding adenoidal tissue (P < 0.005). This suggests a potential role for tissue arginase activity as an outcome module and a contributing factor in chronic recurrent infection and hypertrophy of tonsillar and adenoidal tis sues.