Studies on the catabolism of Ng-methylarginine, Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine and Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine in the rabbit.

1. The routes of elimination of Ng-methylarginine, Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine and Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine were investigated in the rabbit. 2. Analyses showed low plasma concentrations of these amino acids (around 1 nmol/ml) and ratios similar to those found in tissue proteins. The concentrations of these amino acids in extracts of brain, kidney, liver and spleen were similar except that liver had a lower concentration of Ng-methylarginine and Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine. Cerebrospinal fluid contained traces of each amino acid.