Effect of caffeine on metabolism of L-arginine in the brain

Methylxanthines are widely consumed because of their stimulating effect primarily on the central nervous system. Their diuretic and respiratory stimulant action is used in clinical medicine. L-Arginine metabolism in the brain is very important for normal brain function. In addition to brain protein synthesis, arginine is a substrate for the production of urea, creatine, nitric oxide, agmatine, glutamic acid, ornithine, proline and polyamines. As known, many of these compounds are very important in brain function. There is no information relating to effects of caffeine on arginine metabolism in the brain, however, there is a lot of new information about arginine metabolism and caffeine action on the central nervous system. So, we have hypothesized the existence of a relationship that may be of interest in understanding mechanisms of caffeine effects on the central nervous system that may have utility in the clinical applications.