Artery Research

Volume 1, Issue S1, June 2006, Pages S23 - S23

02.02 SHORT-TERM DAILY ADMINISTRATION OF L-ARGININE IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN HEALTHY SMOKERS

Authors
G. Siasos*, C. Vlachopoulos, D. Tousoulis, I. Andreou, N. Ioakeimidis, K. Zisimos, C. Pitsavos, C. Stefanadis
Available Online 13 June 2007.
DOI
10.1016/S1872-9312(07)70005-4How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Background: L-arginine, being the substrate for endothelial nitric oxide synthase, is essential for normal endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is accompanied by increased arterial stiffness. Aim of the study was to investigate in healthy smokers the effect of a short-term daily L-arginine administration on vascular function.

Methods: We studied the effect of a 3-day oral administration of L-arginine in 12 healthy smokers (aged 24±3 yrs) on 3 occasions (day 0: baseline measurements, day 1 and day 3). The study was carried out on two separate arms, one with L-arginine (7 g tid) and one with placebo according to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. All measurements were performed one hour after L-arginine or placebo intake. Endothelial function was evaluated with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness and augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of wave reflections

Results: Compared to placebo, L-arginine led to a progressive increase of FMD (by 1.74%, p = NS at day 1 and by 1.96%, p < 0.05 at day 3), indicating a favorable effect on endothelial function. Moreover, L-arginine intake led to a progressive decrease of PWV (by 0.32m/s at day 1 and by 0.36 m/s at day 3, both p < 0.01) and of AIx (by 5.1%, p < 0.01 at day 1 and by 9.3%, p < 0.001 at day 3), indicating a decrease in aortic stiffness and wave reflections.

Conclusion: Short-term daily administration of L-arginine, improves arterial performance in healthy smokers. These findings provide further insights into the cardiovascular profile of this molecule.

Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
1 - S1
Pages
S23 - S23
Publication Date
2007/06/13
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/S1872-9312(07)70005-4How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - G. Siasos*
AU  - C. Vlachopoulos
AU  - D. Tousoulis
AU  - I. Andreou
AU  - N. Ioakeimidis
AU  - K. Zisimos
AU  - C. Pitsavos
AU  - C. Stefanadis
PY  - 2007
DA  - 2007/06/13
TI  - 02.02 SHORT-TERM DAILY ADMINISTRATION OF L-ARGININE IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN HEALTHY SMOKERS
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - S23
EP  - S23
VL  - 1
IS  - S1
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-9312(07)70005-4
DO  - 10.1016/S1872-9312(07)70005-4
ID  - Siasos*2007
ER  -