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Rafi H, Rafiq H, Farhan M. Pharmacological profile of agmatine: An in-depth overview. Neuropeptides 2024; 105:102429. [PMID: 38608401 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Agmatine, a naturally occurring polyamine derived from arginine via arginine decarboxylase, has been shown to play multifaceted roles in the mammalian body, impacting a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. This comprehensive review delineates the significant insights into agmatine's pharmacological profile, emphasizing its structure and metabolism, neurotransmission and regulation, and pharmacokinetics and function. Agmatine's biosynthesis is highly conserved across species, highlighting its fundamental role in cellular functions. In the brain, comparable to established neurotransmitters, agmatine acts as a neuromodulator, influencing the regulation, metabolism, and reabsorption of neurotransmitters that are key to mood disorders, learning, cognition, and the management of anxiety and depression. Beyond its neuromodulatory functions, agmatine exhibits protective effects across various cellular and systemic contexts, including neuroprotection, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, and cytoprotection, suggesting a broad therapeutic potential. The review explores agmatine's interaction with multiple receptor systems, including NMDA, α2-adrenoceptors, and imidazoline receptors, elucidating its role in enhancing cell viability, neuronal protection, and synaptic plasticity. Such interactions underpin agmatine's potential in treating neurological diseases and mood disorders, among other conditions. Furthermore, agmatine's pharmacokinetics, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, are discussed, underlining the complexity of its action and the potential for therapeutic application. The safety and efficacy of agmatine supplementation, demonstrated through various animal and human studies, affirm its potential as a beneficial therapeutic agent. Conclusively, the diverse physiological and therapeutic effects of agmatine, spanning neurotransmission, protection against cellular damage, and modulation of various receptor pathways, position it as a promising candidate for further research and clinical application. This review underscores the imperative for continued exploration into agmatine's mechanisms of action and its potential in pharmacology and medicine, promising advances in the treatment of numerous conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Rafi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Hamna Rafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
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Kim DR, Martin S, Desai K. The effects of a comparatively higher dose of 1000 mg/kg/d of oral L- or D-arginine on the L-arginine metabolic pathways in male Sprague-Dawley rats. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289476. [PMID: 37527267 PMCID: PMC10393177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral L-arginine supplements are popular mainly for their nitric oxide mediated vasodilation, but their physiological impact is not fully known. L-arginine is a substrate of several enzymes including arginase, nitric oxide synthase, arginine decarboxylase, and arginine: glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT). We have published a study on the physiological impact of oral L- and D-arginine at 500 mg/kg/day for 4 wks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. We investigated the effects of oral L-arginine and D-arginine at a higher dose of 1000 mg/kg/d for a longer treatment duration of 16 wks in 9-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured the expression and activity of L-arginine metabolizing enzymes, and levels of their metabolites in the plasma and various organs. L-arginine did not affect the levels of L-arginine and L-lysine in the plasma and various organs. L-arginine decreased arginase protein expression in the upper small intestine, and arginase activity in the plasma. It also decreased AGAT protein expression in the liver, and creatinine levels in the urine. L-arginine altered arginine decarboxylase protein expression in the upper small intestine and liver, with increased total polyamines plasma levels. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein was increased with D-arginine, the presumed metabolically inert isomer, but not L-arginine. In conclusion, oral L-arginine and D-arginine at a higher dose and longer treatment duration significantly altered various enzymes and metabolites in the arginine metabolic pathways, which differed from alterations produced by a lower dose shorter duration treatment published earlier. Further studies with differing doses and duration would allow for a better understanding of oral L-arginine uses, and evidence based safe and effective dose range and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dain Raina Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sarah Martin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Kaushik Desai
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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GC-MS measurement of spermidine and putrescine in serum of elderly subjects: intriguing association between spermidine and homoarginine. Amino Acids 2019; 52:225-234. [PMID: 31541302 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods were developed, validated and used to measure serum spermidine (SPD) and putrescine (PUT) in 9 seropositive Helicobacter pylori (Hp +) and 18 seronegative Helicobacter pylori (Hp -) subjects (31-105 years). Homoarginine (hArg) was also measured by GC-MS. There were no statistical differences (unpaired t test) between the Hp + and Hp - subjects with respect to the serum concentrations of SPD (67.6 ± 40.3 vs. 93.7 ± 37.7 nM, P = 0.109), PUT (220 ± 139 vs. 236 ± 85 nM, P = 0.708) and hArg (1.60 ± 0.64 µM vs. 1.83 ± 0.74 µM, P = 0.554). Serum SPD and hArg concentrations correlated with each other (r = 0.426, P = 0.026, n = 27). The PUT/SPD molar ratio correlated inversely with the hArg concentration (r = - 0.406, P = 0.034, n = 27) and proteinic citrulline (r = - 0.487, P = 0.01, n = 27). These results suggest that SPD and PUT synthesis is associated with hArg formation and protein citrullination in healthy elderly subjects. The mechanisms underlying these associations and their significance remain to be elucidated.
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Decreased plasma agmatine levels in autistic subjects. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 125:735-740. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Neis VB, Rosa PB, Olescowicz G, Rodrigues ALS. Therapeutic potential of agmatine for CNS disorders. Neurochem Int 2017; 108:318-331. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Song J, Hur BE, Bokara KK, Yang W, Cho HJ, Park KA, Lee WT, Lee KM, Lee JE. Agmatine improves cognitive dysfunction and prevents cell death in a streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer rat model. Yonsei Med J 2014; 55:689-99. [PMID: 24719136 PMCID: PMC3990080 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.3.689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Alzheimer's disease (AD) results in memory impairment and neuronal cell death in the brain. Previous studies demonstrated that intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ) induces pathological and behavioral alterations similar to those observed in AD. Agmatine (Agm) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in central nervous system disorders. In this study, we investigated whether Agm treatment could attenuate apoptosis and improve cognitive decline in a STZ-induced Alzheimer rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied the effect of Agm on AD pathology using a STZ-induced Alzheimer rat model. For each experiment, rats were given anesthesia (chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg, ip), followed by a single injection of STZ (1.5 mg/kg) bilaterally into each lateral ventricle (5 μL/ventricle). Rats were injected with Agm (100 mg/kg) daily up to two weeks from the surgery day. RESULTS Agm suppressed the accumulation of amyloid beta and enhanced insulin signal transduction in STZ-induced Alzheimer rats [experimetal control (EC) group]. Upon evaluation of cognitive function by Morris water maze testing, significant improvement of learning and memory dysfunction in the STZ-Agm group was observed compared with the EC group. Western blot results revealed significant attenuation of the protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, as well as increases in the protein expressions of Bcl2, PI3K, Nrf2, and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase, in the STZ-Agm group. CONCLUSION Our results showed that Agm is involved in the activation of antioxidant signaling pathways and activation of insulin signal transduction. Accordingly, Agm may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive decline and attenuating apoptosis in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyun Song
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo Eun Hur
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kiran Kumar Bokara
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wonsuk Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Cho
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Taek Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Min Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Uzbay T, Goktalay G, Kayir H, Eker SS, Sarandol A, Oral S, Buyukuysal L, Ulusoy G, Kirli S. Increased plasma agmatine levels in patients with schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1054-60. [PMID: 23664672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine is an endogenous substance, synthesized from l-arginine, and it is proposed to be a new neurotransmitter. Preclinical studies indicated that agmatine may have an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study was organized to investigate plasma agmatine in patients with schizophrenia and in healthy controls. Eighteen patients with schizophrenia and 19 healthy individuals constituted the subjects. Agmatine levels in the plasma were measured using the HPLC method. The S100B protein level, which is a peripheral biomarker for brain damage, was also measured using the ELISA method. While plasma levels of agmatine in patients with schizophrenia were significantly increased (p < 0.0001) compared to those of healthy individuals (control), there were no significant changes in the levels of S100B protein (p = 0.660). An ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis revealed that measuring plasma agmatine levels as a clinical diagnostic test would significantly differentiate between patients with schizophrenia and those in the control group (predictive value: 0.969; p < 0.0001). The predictive value of S100B measurements was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). A multiple regression analysis revealed that the age of the patient and the severity of the illness, as indicated by the PANSS score, significantly contributed the plasma agmatine levels in patients with schizophrenia. These results support the hypothesis that an excess agmatine release is important in the development of schizophrenia. The findings also imply that the plasma agmatine level may be a potential biomarker of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayfun Uzbay
- Uskudar University, Neuropsychopharmacology Application and Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Bokara KK, Kwon KH, Nho Y, Lee WT, Park KA, Lee JE. Retroviral Expression of Arginine Decarboxylase Attenuates Oxidative Burden in Mouse Cortical Neural Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 20:527-37. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2010.0312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Kumar Bokara
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ki Hyo Kwon
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonmi Nho
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Taek Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Park
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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Huisman H, Wynveen P, Nichkova M, Kellermann G. Novel ELISAs for Screening of the Biogenic Amines GABA, Glycine, β-Phenylethylamine, Agmatine, and Taurine Using One Derivatization Procedure of Whole Urine Samples. Anal Chem 2010; 82:6526-33. [DOI: 10.1021/ac100858u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Han Huisman
- Pharmasan Laboratories Inc., Department of Research and Development, 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020, and NeuroScience Inc., 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
| | - Paul Wynveen
- Pharmasan Laboratories Inc., Department of Research and Development, 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020, and NeuroScience Inc., 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
| | - Mikaela Nichkova
- Pharmasan Laboratories Inc., Department of Research and Development, 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020, and NeuroScience Inc., 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
| | - Gottfried Kellermann
- Pharmasan Laboratories Inc., Department of Research and Development, 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020, and NeuroScience Inc., 375, 280th Street Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
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