arginine

arginine /ar·gi·nine/ (Arg) (R) (ahr´jĭ-nēn) a nonessential amino acid occurring in proteins and involved in the urea cycle, which converts ammonia to urea, and in the synthesis of creatine. Preparations of the base or the glutamate or hydrochloride salt are used in the treatment of hyperammonemia and as a diagnostic aid in the assessment of pituitary function.

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ar·gi·nine (ärj-nn)

n. Abbr. Arg

An amino acid obtained from the hydrolysis or digestion of plant and animal protein.

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arginine (Arg)

[är′jinin]

an amino acid formed during the urea cycle by the transfer of a nitrogen atom from aspartate to citrulline. It can also be prepared synthetically. Certain compounds made from arginine, especially arginine glutamate and arginine hydrochloride, are used intravenously in the management of conditions in which there is an excess of ammonia in the blood caused by liver dysfunction. See also urea cycle.

Chemical structure of arginine

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arginine (ärˑ·j·nēn),

n an essential amino acid that has been used as an adjunct therapy in congestive heart failure, erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and angina pectoris. It may also be useful in the treatment of upper respiratory ailments, type II diabetes, and various hematologic conditions. Precaution advised for those with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and acid reflux disease as well as for those taking NSAIDs, antiplatelet medications, theophyl-line medications, corticosteroids, postassium-sparing diuretics, or ACE inhibitors.

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arginine,

n an essential amino acid for infants and children. See also amino acid.

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arginine

a basic amino acid occurring in proteins and essential for many species, particularly the cat.

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arginine amidinase

see arginase.

arginine deaminase test

see arginine dihydrolase test (below).

arginine dihydrolase test

a test for the identification of bacteria, based on the conversion of l-arginine to putrescine. In a positive result, the alkaline product is indicated by bromocresol purple. Called also arginine deaminase test.

arginine esterase

an androgen-dependent enzyme derived from the prostate which occurs in high concentrations in seminal plasma.

arginine nutritional deficiency

results in elevated blood ammonia concentration. Cats are particularly sensitive and within hours of eating an arginine-free diet, severe neurological signs develop, leading to death. In other species, cataracts have been reported in dogs and feather abnormalities occur in chickens on deficient diets.

arginine vasopressin

a potent vasoconstrictor in mammals.

arginine vasotocin

the normal antidiuretic hormone in birds; released from the avian posterior pituitary.

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arginine

Biochemistry A 'facultatively' essential amino acid that contains a guanido group with a pKa > 12, which carries a positive charge at physiological pH; it becomes an essential amino acid when the body is under stress or injured Sources Turkey, chicken and other meats. See Unproven methods for cancer management.