Does the balance of nitric oxide and L-arginine play a role in the development of allergic rhinitis?

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanisms that play a role in the etiopathogenesis of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). We investigated whether amino acids are effective in SAR development. The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of an alteration by comparing the serum free amino acid levels between SAR patients and healthy controls. Methods: Forty-four patients with SAR were enrolled in the study group (Group 1), and thirty-three healthy volunteers were enrolled in the control group (Group 2). Group 1 consisted of the patients who had elevated specific IgE antibodies against at least one of the following, tree, grass, mold spores or mite, according to the allergen- specific IgE antibody test (the inhalant allergen test). They had at least one SAR symptom and had been diagnosed with SAR for at least two years. Levels of twenty-five serum free amino acids in both groups were measured by LC-MS/MS system. Serum nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by griess reaction in both groups. Nitrate and nitrite levels were used as markers for NO measurement. Results: The serum free L-arginine level was found to be significantly lower in group 1 (60,96±22,99 ng/ml) as compared to group 2 (86,27±31,35 ng/ml), (p: 0,047). A significant increase was observed in the levels of NO at group 1 (220.64±22.44 pmol/ml) compared with group 2 (165.84±19.32 pmol/ml), (p