ABSTRACT
Arginine was first isolated in 1895 from animal horn. It is classified as a nonessential amino acid even if occuring in newborns, young children, or other circumstances characterized by accelerated tissue growth (e.g., infection, sepsis, trauma) when its production may be too slow and not sufficient to meet the requirements. Thus, in these conditions, arginine may be classified as ‘‘semiessential.’’[1] Arginine participates in protein synthesis in cells and tissues. It is essential for the synthesis of urea, creatine, creatinine, and pyrimidine
bases. It also strongly influences hormonal release and has an important role in vasculature dynamics, participating in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO).
