arginine

(ar′jĭ-nēn″)

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[argen(tum) + -ine]
A crystalline basic amino acid, C6H14N4O2, obtained from the decomposition of vegetable tissues, protamines, and proteins. It is a guanidine derivative, yielding urea and ornithine on hydrolysis. It may also be produced synthetically. Dietary supplementation with arginine is used to treat urea cycle disorders and, in malnourished patients, pressure ulcers.
SEE: amino acid

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