Critical Role of <scp>l</scp> -Arginine in Endothelial Cell Survival During Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Our data demonstrate that arginine concentrations corresponding to physiological serum levels do not allow for optimal endothelial iNOS activity. Thus, decreases in systemic arginine concentrations, or locally within atherosclerotic plaques, will impair the endothelial iNOS-mediated stress response and will significantly increase the risk of endothelial dysfunction.