L-Arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthase, is the precursor for nitric oxide synthesis in the vascular endothelium. Experimental and preliminary clinical studies have indicated that intra-arterial or intravenous infusion ofL-arginine could improve nitric oxide bioavailability in the coronary arteries. Here, Tousoulis et al. examine the literature on the role of L-arginine in the prevention of atherosclerosis from a clinical perspective.
- Dimitris Tousoulis
- Rainer H Böger
- Christodoulos Stefanadis
