Abstract
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.
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