The Hypotensive Effect of L-Arginine Is Associated With Increased Expired Nitric Oxide in Humans  Sanjay Mehta, MD, Duncan J. Stewart, MD, Robert D. Levy, MD, FCCP  CHEST  Volume 109, Issue 6, Pages 1550-1555 (June 1996) DOI: 10.1378/chest.109.6.1550 Copyright © 1996 The American College of Chest Physicians Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 1 Time course of changes in mean BP, expired NO (VeNO), and plasma L-citrulline during infusion of hypertonic saline solution and L-arginine. Although the hypertonic saline solution control (open circles) had no effect, a 30-min infusion of L-arginine (filled circles) was associated with a reduction in mean BP and increases in expired NO and plasma L-citrulline. L-arginine's effects were transient, as all parameters returned to baseline during the recovery period. Asterisk=p<0.05 by repeated measures ANOVA and Student's t test. CHEST 1996 109, 1550-1555DOI: (10.1378/chest.109.6.1550) Copyright © 1996 The American College of Chest Physicians Terms and Conditions

FIGURE 2 The peak effects of hypertonic saline (SAL) solution and L-arginine (ARG) on mean BP, plasma L-citrulline, and expired NO in individual subjects (n=10). L-arginine infusion reduced mean BP and increased plasma L-citrulline and expired NO in all subjects, with the peak effects being observed at 32±7, 59±4, and between 60 and 75 min, respectively, after start of the infusion. Both the FeNO and the VeNO increased following L-arginine administration. In contrast, the hypertonic saline solution control had no consistent hemodynamic or metabolic effects. Asterisk=p<0.05 by repeated measures ANOVA. CHEST 1996 109, 1550-1555DOI: (10.1378/chest.109.6.1550) Copyright © 1996 The American College of Chest Physicians Terms and Conditions