Medical research has found certain dietary components, like arginine, have pharmacologic benefits in immune functioning (Alexander). Arginine is an amino acid which demonstrates anabolic and immune enhancing effects (Reynolds). Human studies done during immune suppressed conditions associated with surgery have shown enhanced immune activity as evidenced by improved T-lymphocyte response and increased T-helper cell numbers as evidenced by elevated CD 4 counts (Daly). Furthermore arginine has been shown to improve thymic lymphocytes per gland, and thymic lymphocyte immunoreactivity in vitro (Barbul). Arginine has likewise induced a significant increase of thymulin blood level in the elderly and in cancer patients (Fabris). The use of arginine has been demonstrated to increase plasma growth hormone (Maedek and Merimee). Researchers have suggested that arginine induces the release of growth hormone by way of the cholinergic pathways of the parasympathetic nervous system (Kelijman). Others have suggested that arginine has its immune enhancing effect through direct action on the thymus itself (Fabris). The thymus has been shown to possess cholinergic receptors on the surface of thymosin-producing epithelial cells (Hall).

Alexander, JW, Peck MD, Future prospects for adjuntive therapy; pharmacologic and nutritional approaches to immune system modulation. Critical Care Medicine.1990; 18(2 suppl):S159-64.

Barbul A, Fishel, Shimazu S, Wasserkrug HL, Yoshimura N, Tao R, et al. Intravenous hyperalimentation with high arginine levels improve wound healing and immune funtion. Journal of Sugical Research 1985;38(4):328-34.

Barbul A, Sisto DA, Wasserkrug HL, Levinson SM, Efron G., Seifter E. Arginine stimulates thymic immune funtion and ameliorates the obesity and the hypoglycemia of genetically obese rats. Journal of Parenter and Enteral Nutrition1981; 6(6):492-5.

Barbul A, Wasserkrug HL, Yoshimura N, Tao R, Efron G. High arginine levels in intravenous hyperalimentation abrogate post-trumatic immune supression. Journal of Sugical Research 1984;36(6):620-4.

Daly JM, Reynolds J, Sigal RK, Shou J, Liberman MD. Effect of dietary protein and amino acids on immune function. Critical Care Medicine 1990;18(2 suppl):S86-93.

Daly JM, Reynolds J, Thom A, Kinsley L, Dietrick-Gallagher M, Shou J, et al. Immune and metabolic effect of arginine in the surgical patient. Annals of Surgery; 1988;208(4):512-23.

Fabris N, Mocchegiani E. Arginine-containing compounds and thymic endocrine activity. Thymus. 1992;19(1 suppl);21-30.

Hall NB, Goldstein AL. Neurotransmitters and the immune system. In: R Ader (Ed.). Psychoneuroimmunology. New York: Academic Press, 1981;521-40.

Kelijman M, Frohman LA. The role of the cholinergic pathway in growth hormone feedback. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1991; 72(5);1081-7.

Maedek K, Keto Y, Chihare K, Ohgo S, Imesaki Y, Supression by thyrotropin-releasing hormones (THR) of growth hormone release induced by arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycemia in man. Journal of Clinical Endocrinolgy and Metabolism 1976; 43(2):453-6.

Merimee TJ, Pulkkinen AJ, Burton CE. Diet-induced alterations og HGH secretion in man. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1976;62(5):931-7.

Reynolds JV, Thom A, Zhang SM, Ziegler M, Naji A, Daly JM. Arginine, protein malnutrition and cancer. Journal of Surgical Research 1988;45(6): 513-22.

Title: Effects of lysine-arginine association on immune functions in patients with recurrent infections.

Author: Azzarà A; Carulli G; Sbrana S; Rizzuti-Gullaci A; Minnucci S; Natale M; Ambrogi F

Address: Unit of Haematology, Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Italy.

Source: Drugs Exp Clin Res, 21: 2, 1995, 71-8

Abstract: Combined L-lysine-L-arginine therapy is capable of inducting recovery in age-related decline of thymic activity in mice and in elderly humans. The clinical usefulness of the association has also been shown in children with recurrent respiratory infections, while an increase in the number of CD3+ lymphocytes has been shown in patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia. Recently, in vitro effects of the association on neutrophil function have been reported. In particular, the association was able to increase random migration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis-associated- and f-MLP-induced chemiluminescence. In this paper the authors evaluate the effects of L-lysine-L-arginine combination (lisargin) on several humoral and cell-mediated immunologic parameters in patients with recurrent infection. An increase of neutrophil random migration and chemotaxis (evaluated by a new technique, based on a computer assisted image processing system) was found. Furthermore an increase in the absolute number of lymphocytes involved in cytotoxic activity and IgG levels was observed.

Title: Peptides as weapons against microorganisms in the chemical defense system of vertebrates.

Author: Nicolas P; Mor A

Address: Laboratoire de Bioactivation des Peptides, Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris 7, France.

Source: Annu Rev Microbiol, 49:1995, 277-304

Abstract: The innate immunity of vertebrates to microbial invasion is arbitrated by a network of host-defense mechanisms involving both the long-lasting highly specific responses of the cell-mediated immune system and a nonspecific chemical defense system based on a series of broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides that are analogous to those found in insects. Vertebrate antibiotic peptides secreted by nonlymphoid cells of the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts as well as by the granular glands of the skin reportedly cause the lysis of numerous pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, and fungi, as well as of cancer cells. Antimicrobial peptides isolated from vertebrates have three characteristic properties: They are relatively small (20-46 amino acid residues), basic (lysine- or arginine-rich), and amphipathic. Although these peptides differ widely in length and amino acid sequences, they may be grouped in four broad families based on characteristic structural features. Although the precise mechanism of action of these peptides remains to be defined, their microbicidal effect very likely results from their capacity to form channels or pores within the microbial membrane in order to permeate the cell and impair its ability to carry out anabolic processes. This secondary, chemical immune system provides vertebrates with a repertoire of small peptides that are promptly synthesized upon induction, easily stored in large amounts, and readily available for antimicrobial warfare.