An Optimized MRM-Based Workflow of the L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway Metabolites Revealed Disease- and Sex-Related Differences in the Cardiovascular Field

Porro, B.; Eligini, S.; Conte, E.; et al.

The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on the arginine/nitric oxide (Arg/NO) pathway continues to be investigated. To strengthen the field’s understanding, Banfi and colleagues developed a targeted MS metabolomics method to quantify Arg/NO pathway metabolites in human plasma. The method used a collection of stable isotope-labeled standards (e.g., ¹³C₇/¹⁵N₄ L-homoarginine, D₆ ornithine), was validated against FDA guidelines, and applied to patient samples of different grades/types of CAD. Although larger study cohorts are needed, findings of significance demonstrate sex-dependent correlations in Arg/NO metabolites on acute cardiovascular events.