Homoarginine is a non-essential cationic amino acid, which is formed from lysine. In vitro and in vivo, homoarginine shows characteristics similar to arginine. Epidemiological investigations in two large independent cohorts, namely the German diabetes dialysis (4D) – study and the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) – study have identified homoarginine as useful predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. Beyond that homoarginine concentrations are directly correlated with kidney function and are significantly associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low homoarginine concentrations might be an early indicator of kidney failure and a potential target for the prevention of disease progression which needs further investigations. Furthermore homoarginine could be a useful marker for the monitoring of hemodialysis patients.
- References to Homoarginine