heme arginate + l-arginine

Heme arginate + l-arginine is a combination of two agents, heme arginate and l-arginine. Heme arginate is a stable compound consisting of heme complexed with the amino acid arginine. It acts primarily by replenishing heme stores in the body, which through negative feedback inhibits delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALA synthase), the rate-limiting enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. This leads to rapid reduction in porphyrin precursors (ALA and PBG) and improvement of symptoms in acute porphyrias[1][4][10]. L-arginine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor for nitric oxide synthesis, leading to vasodilation and improved blood flow; it also stimulates release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances[5][6]. Both agents have been shown individually to lower blood pressure via different mechanisms—heme arginate by modulating hemoprotein activity including cytochrome P450 enzymes, and l-arginine by increasing nitric oxide production[2][5]. The combination may be used experimentally or investigationally for conditions involving acute porphyria attacks or hypertension.

Other names

haem arginate + l-arginine