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Cited by 62Nitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionBlood donation and transfusion practices

L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide in Vascular Regulation—Experimental Findings in the Context of Blood Donation

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Kurhaluk, Natalia, Tkaczenko, Halina·2025·Nutrients
DOI 10.3390/nu17040665PMC PMC11858268
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Abstract

This narrative review provides an analysis of the role of nitric oxide (NO) and its precursors, particularly L-arginine, in vascular regulation and health, with an emphasis on findings from our experimental research in animal models. NO serves as a critical mediator of vascular function, contributing to vasodilation, the regulation of blood flow, and the prevention of thrombosis. As a primary precursor of NO, L-arginine is essential for maintaining endothelial integrity, modulating mitochondrial function, and reducing oxidative damage. This review synthesises the data and contextualises these findings within the physiological challenges faced by blood donors, such as repeated blood donation and associated oxidative stress. It examines the effects of L-arginine supplementation on mitochondrial respiration, lipid peroxidation, and microsomal oxidation in different conditions, including differences in age, gender, and dietary interventions. The mechanisms by which L-arginine enhances NO production, improves vascular elasticity, and alleviates endothelial dysfunction caused by reduced NO bioavailability are also investigated. By integrating experimental findings with insights from the existing literature, this review provides a perspective on the potential of L-arginine supplementation to address the specific physiological needs of blood donors. It highlights the importance of personalised nutritional approaches in enhancing donor recovery and vascular resilience. In addition, this review assesses the wider implications of L-arginine supplementation in mitigating oxidative stress and preserving vascular function. The interplay between NO bioavailability, dietary factors, and physiological adaptation in blood donors is highlighted, along with the identification of current knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research. By presenting both original experimental evidence and a critical synthesis of the literature, this article highlights the therapeutic potential of NO precursors, particularly L-arginine, in promoting vascular health in the context of blood donation.

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  • Ageing is associated with reduced eNOS activity, increased arginase activity, and enhanced oxidative degradation of NO.

    “Ageing is associated with reduced eNOS activity, increased arginase activity, and enhanced oxidative degradation of NO”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [232]

    Section 2.6 states that elevated arginase activity can limit NO synthesis and that reactive oxygen species can degrade NO and inhibit NOS activity. Section 2.3 also describes oxidative depletion of NO. Neither passage links these changes to ageing or specifically states that eNOS activity declines with age; the passage on diminished NOS activity in Section 2.9 concerns acute hypoxia instead. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • This leads to peroxynitrite formation and endothelial damage.

    “which leads to peroxynitrite formation and endothelial damage [168,232].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [232]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [244]Paur I. Carlsen M.H. Halvorsen B.L. Blomhoff R. Chapter 2: Antioxidants in Herbs and Spices: Roles in Oxidative Stress and Redox Signaling Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects 2nd ed. Benzie I.F.F. Wachtel-Galor S. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Boca Raton, FL, USA 2011 Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92763/ (accessed on 3 September 2024) 22593932

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Authors
Kurhaluk, N., & Tkaczenko, H.
Affiliations
  • Uniwersytet Pomorski w Słupsku (PL)
  • Institute of Biology, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewski St. 22b, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
Corresponding author
Kurhaluk, Natalia
ORCID
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-02-13
Volume
17
Issue
4
Pages
665
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/nu17040665
PMC
PMC11858268
OpenAlex
W4407531341
Cited by
62
References
300
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 24
FWCI
8.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Pomeranian University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Blood donation and transfusion practices
Keywords
L-arginine, nitric oxide, blood donation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial respiration, lipid peroxidation, microsomal oxidation, vasodilation, NO bioavailability, arginine supplementation, vascular health, donor recovery, dietary intervention
MeSH terms
Blood Donation, Animals, Arginine, Blood Donors, Endothelium, Vascular, Humans, Nitric Oxide, Vasodilation, Oxidative Stress, Dietary Supplements

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