Open AccessProtective Role of Arginase II in Cerebral Ischemia and Excitotoxicity
Author(s) -
Abdullah Shafique Ahmad,
Zahoor A. Shah,
Sylvain Doré
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of neurology and neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2171-6625
DOI - 10.21767/2171-6625.100088
Subject(s) - excitotoxicity , arginase , neuroprotection , ischemia , glutamate receptor , medicine , brain damage , nmda receptor , nitric oxide synthase , pharmacology , nitric oxide , cerebral blood flow , urea cycle , brain ischemia , anesthesia , arginine , biochemistry , chemistry , amino acid , receptor
Arginase (Arg), one of the enzymes involved in the urea cycle, provides an essential route for the disposal of excess nitrogen resulting from amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. Two reported subtypes of Arg (ArgI and II) compete with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to use L-arginine as a substrate, and subsequently regulate NOS activity. It has been reported that Arg has significant effects on circulation that suggest the potential role of this enzyme in regulating vascular function. However, the role of Arg following brain damage has not been elucidated. In this study, we hypothesize that the deletion of ArgII will lead to aggravated brain injury following cerebral ischemia and excitotoxicity.