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04-08-2006, 07:40 AM
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Rank: Member
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 54
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Arginine and Nitrogen Balance:
Quote:
Arginine Improves Nitrogen Balance in Healthy Men
For seven days, Beaumier et al. (1995) fed healthy young adult males energy-balanced diets characterized by either normal (56.1 mg/kg/day) or arginine-supplemented (561 mg/kg/day) status. The arginine-supplemented group experienced lost weight, which was attributed to sodium and water loss, possibly due to reduced tubular reabsorption of these two compounds. Despite the fact that the nitrogen intake was the same for both groups, the arginine-supplemented group demonstrated an increase in nitrogen retention. These data are suggestive of yet further benefits for bodybuilders increased anabolism with decreased retention of sodium and water, i.e., a more muscular physique.
Cynober et al. (1996) summarizes the clinical applications of arginine:In septic rats, arginine- enriched nutrition (either enteral or parenteral) improves nitrogen balance and total body and liver protein synthesis. In addition, arginine stimulates growth hormone and insulin secretion. The most remarkable action of arginine is certainly that exerted on cellular immunity. This action concerns thymus and extra-thymus areas. Finally, arginine favours wound healing improves host defenses in cancer and slows tumour growth. The pharmacological action of arginine probably depends upon various mechanisms: its action on immunity may be mediated by the synthesis of nitric oxide and polyamines (via ornithine synthesis). The effect on wound healing may be related to proline synthesis. The effects on nitrogen metabolism may be linked to growth hormone secretion. These observations form the rationale for the administration of arginine- enriched diets to injured patients.
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