Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor; naturally occurring analog of arginine. Isoln from bovine brain and prepn: T. Nakajima et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 230, 212 (1971). Improved prepn: J. L. Corbin, M. Reporter, Anal. Biochem. 57, 310 (1974); S. Pundak, M. Wilchek, J. Org. Chem. 46, 808 (1981); of acetate salt: W. Zhang et al., Synth. Commun. 24, 2789 (1994). Inhibition of NO release by endothelial cells: R. M. J. Palmer et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 153, 1251 (1988). Review of biological significance: J. Leiper, P. Vallance, Cardiovasc. Res. 43, 542-548 (1999). Clinical evaluation in cardiogenic shock: G. Cotter et al., Circulation 101, 1358 (2000).
In treatment of cardiogenic shock.