The Role of
L-Arginine in Cardiovascular Health

U.S. Pharmacist Continuing Education
ACPE Program No. 430-000-99-015-H01
This program provides 1.0 hours of credit (0.1 CEU).
Lesson Expires: November 30, 2001

Questions

1. Which of the following constitute cautions and/or contraindications to supplemental L-arginine?
(A) Diabetic retinopathy    
(B) Active malignancies    
(C) Serious infections
(D) All of the above

2. L-Arginine causes the secretion of
(A) Testosterone    
(B) Growth hormone   
(C) Cortisol
(D) None of the above

3. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA):
(A) Is formed from circulating free L-arginine
(B) Inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS)
(C) Is formed from L-citrulline
(D) Mimics the actions of nitric oxide (NO)

4. L-Arginine is:
(A) Absorbed from the stomach with other amino acids
(B) A “semi-essential” amino acid
(C) Present in much higher concentrations in certain legumes as compared with beef or chicken
(D) All of the above

5. L-Arginine can be metabolized to:
(A) L-Citrulline    
(B) Creatine    
(C) Polyamines
(D) All of the above

6. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS):
(A) Levels are decreased in patients with atherosclerosis
(B) Is only present in the cardiovascular system
(C) Is present in micromolar amounts
(D) None of the above

7. Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are typically elevated in patients with:
(A) Diabetes mellitus    
(B) Preeclampsia    
(C) Atherosclerosis
(D) All of the above

8. Medical foods:
(A) Are not regulated by FDA
(B) Are identical to dietary supplements
(C) Are intended for use under physician supervision
(D) Have the same FDA regulations as OTC drugs

9. Nitric oxide (NO):
(A) Enhances blood fluidity
(B) Inhibits angiogenesis
(C) Enhances cell proliferation
(D) All of the above

10. L-Arginine supplementation decreases:
(A) Time to 1 mm ST segment depression in patients with peripheral artery disease
(B) Plaque formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
(C) The ratio of ADMA:arginine in blood
(D) The formation of agmatine

Evaluation Questions

11.   The CE goals and objectives were achieved:
(A)   Very well
(B)   Adequately
(C)   Poorly

12.   The information presented was:
(A)   Very useful
(B)   Useful
(C)   Not very useful

13.   Your knowledge of the subject was increased by the program:
(A)   Greatly
(B)   Somewhat
(C)   Poorly