A potential role for arginase in recurrent infections and hypertrophy of tonsillar and adenoidal tissue
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY, vol.257, no.3, pp.158-160, 2000 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 257 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2000
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s004050050214
- Journal Name: EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.158-160
- Keywords: arginase, tonsillitis, tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy, NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE, L-ARGININE, LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION, IMMUNE-RESPONSE, MACROPHAGES, INHIBITION, MECHANISM, LIVER, CELLS
- Ankara University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Since arginase has been found to be an arginine-depleting and nitric oxide synthase-regulating enzyme, the present study was devised to examine hypertrophied and infected tonsil and adenoid arginase activity in relation to a metabolic arginase-nitric oxide pathway and its association with disease processes. Tissues were taken from 32 children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. There was a statistically significant difference between the two tissue enzyme activities, with tonsillar arginase activity being higher than the corresponding adenoidal tissue (P < 0.005). This suggests a potential role for tissue arginase activity as an outcome module and a contributing factor in chronic recurrent infection and hypertrophy of tonsillar and adenoidal tissues.