Abstract
Introduction Arginase is an urea cycle enzyme which catalyzes the cleavage of L arginine to L-
ornithine and urea. It is expressed in liver, erythrocyte, brain, kidney, mammary
gland and intestine. The arginase activity detected in nonhepatic tissues that lacka
complete set of urea cycle enzymes is thought to provide ornithine, the biosynthetic
precursor of proline, an important constituent of collagen, andthe polyamines, which
are important for cell proliferation.
Aim and objectives In the current study arginase level in maternal erythrocytes were determined to ascertain
any possible role in pregnancy.
Study design The study group comprised of total 45 subjects including twenty non – pregnant women
(mean age 31.0 ± 6.0 years) and twenty five pregnant women (mean age 29.6 ± 6.1 years)
of gestational age between 28 – 38 weeks.
Results We found a significant increase in the level of maternal erythrocyte arginase (p
0.05) in pregnant women when compared to non – pregnant women.
Conclusion Our study suggests that the increased maternal erythrocyte arginase activity may
have a role in fetal growth and development.
Keywords
Arginase - Ornithine - Non-pregnant women - Pregnancy - Erythrocyte - polyamine -
proline
