Arginine Synthesis in Healthy Adult Humans

Arginine Synthesis in Healthy Adult Humans: Does Proline or Glutamate Provide the 5-Carbon Chain?

Arginine synthesis in mammals is a complex process involving at least 8 enzymes and intracellular and interorgan transfer of substrates.

The investigators have shown in our neonatal studies that there is no conversion of glutamate to arginine but proline label appears in ornithine, citrulline and arginine. It is clear therefore that arginine is synthesized in human neonates from proline.

In adults the source of the carbon backbone is less clear.

Through a series of test in healthy adults using tandem mass spectrometry with carbon labeled GLN and nitrogen labeled PRO to determine the dietary source for the carbon chain of ORN, CIT and ARG. Additionally, using Nitrogen labeled GLN, we will identify the source of the nitrogen atoms in these amino acids.

Using guanidino - 15N2 arginine, 1-13C Glutamine, 2-15N Glutamine and 15N Proline we will be able to:

1. determine the flux of arginine and proline in healthy adult volunteers
2. determine and compare the flux of carbon and nitrogen labeled glutamine
3. demonstrate whether glutamine or proline provides the carbon backbone for ornithine, citrulline and arginine in adults.
4. the source of the N atoms in ornithine, citrulline and arginine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 5 men of average weight 80 kg will be studied
• healthy, with no know disease of liver, and/or kidney
• weight stable

Exclusion Criteria:

• weith loss or gain over the last three months
• on medications known to affect amino acid metabolism
• known liver, kidney disease condition