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MELAS and l-arginine therapy

2006; Elsevier BV; Volume: 7; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.mito.2006.11.006

1872-8278

Yasutoshi Koga, Yukihiro Akita, Junko Nishioka, Shuichi Yatsuga, Nataliya Povalko, Koujyu Katayama, Toyojiro Matsuishi,

Electron Spin Resonance Studies

We investigated the endothelial function in MELAS patients and also evaluated the therapeutic effects of l-arginine. Concentrations of l-arginine during the acute phase of MELAS were significantly lower than in control subjects. l-arginine infusions significantly improved all symptoms suggesting stroke within 30 min, and oral administration significantly decreased frequency and severity of stroke-like episodes. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients showed a significant decrease than those in the controls. Two years of oral supplementation of l-arginine significantly improved endothelial function to the control levels and was harmonized with the normalized plasma levels of l-arginine in patients. l-arginine therapy showed promise in treating stroke-like episodes in MELAS.