Characterization of the L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway and Oxidative Stress in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Diseases

L-Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential amino acid. Constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms convert Arg to nitric oxide (NO), a potent vaso- and bronchodilator with multiple biological functions. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and bronchial asthma (BA) are atopic diseases affecting many children globally. Several studies analyzed NO in airways, yet the systemic synthesis of NO in AD and BA in children with BA, AD or both is elusive. In a multicenter study, blood and urine were obtained from 130 of 302 participating children for the measurement of metabolites of the Arg/NO pathway (BA 31.5%; AD 5.4%; AD + BA 36.1%; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 12.3%). In plasma and urine amino acids Arg and homoarginine (hArg), both substrates of NOS, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), both inhibitors of NOS, dimethylamine (DMA), and nitrite and nitrate, were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in plasma and urine samples to evaluate possible effects of oxidative stress. There were no differences in the Arg/NO pathway between the groups of children with different atopic diseases. In comparison to children with ADHD, children with AD, BA or AD and BA had higher plasma nitrite ( < 0.001) and nitrate ( < 0.001) concentrations, suggesting higher systemic NO synthesis in AD and BA. Urinary excretion of DMA was also higher ( = 0.028) in AD and BA compared to patients with ADHD, suggesting elevated ADMA metabolization. The Arg/NO pathway is activated in atopic diseases independent of severity. Systemic NO synthesis is increased in children with an atopic disease. Plasma and urinary MDA levels did not differ between the groups, suggesting no effect of oxidative stress on the Arg/NO pathway in atopic diseases.