Health

Progesterone-associated arginine decline at luteal phase of menstrual cycle and associations with related amino acids and nuclear factor kB activation

Publikation aus Health
Bioanalytik und Metabolomics

Gernot Faustmann, Andreas Meinitzer, Christoph Magnes, Beate Tiran, Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch, Hans-Jürgen Gruber, Josep ribalta, Edmond Rock, Johannes M. Roob, and Brigitte M. Winklhofer-Roob

PLoS one , 7/2018

Abstract:

Background/Objectives

Given their role in female reproduction, the effects of progesterone on arginine and related amino acids, polyamines and NF-κB p65 activation were studied across the menstrual cycle.

Methods

Arginine, ornithine and citrulline as well as putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and N-acetyl-putrescine were determined in plasma, NF-κB p65 activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and progesterone in serum of 28 women at early (T1) and late follicular (T2) and mid (T3) and late (T4) luteal phase.

Results

Arginine and related amino acids declined from T1 and T2 to T3 and T4, while progesterone increased. At T3, arginine, ornithine, and citrulline were inversely related with progesterone. Changes (ΔT3-T2) in arginine, ornithine, and citrulline were inversely related with changes (ΔT3-T2) in progesterone. Ornithine and citrulline were positively related with arginine, as were changes (ΔT3-T2) in ornithine and citrulline with changes (ΔT3-T2) in arginine. At T2, NF-κB p65 activation was positively related with arginine. Polyamines did not change and were not related to progesterone. All results described were significant at P < 0.001.

Conclusions

This study for the first time provides data, at the plasma and PBMC level, supporting a proposed regulatory node of arginine and related amino acids, progesterone and NF-κB p65 at luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, aimed at successful preparation of pregnancy.