L-arginine stimulates host defenses in patients with breast cancer

J. Brittenden*, K. G.M. Park, S. D. Heys, C. Ross, J. Ashby, A. K. Ah-See, O. Eremin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. The amino acid L-arginine is known to have immunostimulatory effects in animals and healthy human volunteers. We have studied the effect of dietary supplementation with L-arginine (30 gm/day for 3 days) on host defenses in patients with breast cancer. Methods. Mitogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen and phenotype analysis of lymphocyte subsets and activation markers were assessed before and after 3 days of L-arginine supplementation. The effect of L-arginine supplementation on natural killer and lymphokine- activated killer cell cytotoxicity and serum levels of the cytokines interleukin-1β and 2, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also measured. Results. L-arginine significantly increased lymphocyte mitogenic reactivity to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen (mean percentage increases: 64% [p < 0.001], 65% [p < 0.001], and 48% [p < 0.05], respectively). Natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity was also significantly enhanced after L-arginine intake (mean percentage increase, 81% and 107% [p < 0.001]). However, no corresponding increase in circulating CD16+ and CD56+ cells was obtained. Arginine supplementation did not increase the level of serum cytokines. Conclusions. Dietary supplementation with L-arginine in patients with breast cancer significantly enhances host defenses and therefore may have a role in adjuvant treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)205-212
Number of pages8
JournalSurgery
Volume115
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1994

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