Open AccessCorrelation between plasma levels of arginine and citrulline in preterm and full‐term neonates: Therapeutical implications
Author(s) -
Contreras Mike T.,
Gallardo Maria J.,
Betancourt Luis R.,
Rada Pedro V.,
Ceballos Gerardo A.,
Hernandez Luis E.,
Hernandez Luis F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.22134
Subject(s) - citrulline , arginine , full term , nitric oxide , medicine , gestational age , positive correlation , chemistry , biochemistry , biology , amino acid , pregnancy , genetics
Background Preterm neonates exhibit several deficiencies that endanger their lives. Understanding those disturbances will provide tools for the management of preterm neonates. The present work focuses on arginine and citrulline which has been flagged among the biochemical landmarks of prematurity. Methods We examined blood samples of preterm newborns as compared with mature neonates to determine the levels of arginine and citrulline by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection ( CZE ‐ LIFD ). Results Significantly lower levels of arginine and citrulline were found in preterm neonates than in mature neonates ( P <.01). Interestingly there was a highly significant correlation between the two amino acids in mature neonates ( P <.0001). Such correlation was present in preterm neonates too ( P <.01). Pearson coefficient showed that 60% of the citrulline concentration depends on arginine concentration in mature neonates. Only 20% of the citrulline concentration depends on arginine concentration in preterm neonates. Although the ratio arginine/citrulline was lower in preterm neonates than in mature neonates the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions These results suggest that less arginine is converted to citrulline to form nitric oxide in preterm than in full‐term neonates. The result is discussed in terms of the immature enzymatic systems in the preterm neonate.