Research from University of Paris has provided new data on life sciences
2007 OCT 22 -- Scientists discuss in 'Citrulline and the gut' new findings in life sciences. According to recent research from Paris, France, "' Citrulline, a nonprotein amino acid, is an important source of endogenous arginine. The gut is the main source of citrulline in humans." "Hence, citrulline is a potential biomarker of short bowel function. Conversely, citrulline uptake by the gut is important for an oral supply of this amino acid as an alternative to arginine. This review discusses these two aspects of citrulline, as well as the recent developments in the understanding of its metabolism. Citrullinemia is such an efficient marker when the active mass of the bowel is affected that it can be used as a prognostic marker for parenteral nutrition weaning (if citrullinemia is >20 micromol/l) and as a factor for deciding between parenteral and enteral nutrition (as long as the pathology is considered). Citrullinemia should be used with care as a marker either of the intestinal absorption or following small bowel transplantation. Citrulline is easily taken up by the gut, with a broad set of transporters that can remove it from the lumen in the enterocytes," wrote E. Curis and colleagues, University of Paris. The researchers concluded: "This is confirmed by pharmacokinetic studies and the efficacy is so great that oral complementation with citrulline seems more efficient than complementation with arginine to provide arginine." Curis and colleagues published their study in Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care (Citrulline and the gut. Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 2007;10(5):620-6). For additional information, contact E. Curis, Universite Paris Descartes, Laboratoire de Biomathematiques, Faculte de Pharmacie, Paris, France. Publisher contact information for the journal Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA. Keywords: France, Paris, Life Sciences, Alternative Medicine, Therapy, Treatment, Citrulline, Amino Acid, Dietary Supplement, Micronutrient. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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