L-arginine enhances aerobic exercise capacity in association with augmented nitric oxide production.
We tested whether supplementation with L-arginine can augment aerobic capacity, particularly in conditions where endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) activity is reduced. Eight-week-old wild-type (E(+)) and apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (E(-)) were divided into six groups; two groups (LE(+) and LE(-)) were given L-arginine (6% in drinking water), two were given D-arginine (DE(+) and DE(-)), and two control groups (NE(+) and NE(-)) received no arginine supplementation. At 12-16 wk of age, the mice were treadmill tested, and urine was collected after exercise for determination of EDNO production. NE(-) mice demonstrated a reduced aerobic capacity compared with NE(+) controls [maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)) of NE(-) = 110 +/- 2 (SE) vs. NE(+) = 122 +/- 3 ml O(2). min(-1). kg(-1), P < 0.001]. This decline in aerobic capacity was associated with a diminished postexercise urinary nitrate excretion. Mice given L-arginine demonstrated an increase in postexercise urinary nitrate excretion and aerobic capacity in both groups (VO(2 max) of LE(-) = 120 +/- 1 ml O(2). min(-1). kg(-1), P < 0.05 vs. NE(-); VO(2 max) of LE(+) = 133 +/- 4 ml O(2). min(-1). kg(-1), P < 0.01 vs. NE(+)). Mice administered D-arginine demonstrated an intermediate increase in aerobic capacity in both groups. We conclude that administration of L-arginine restores exercise-induced EDNO synthesis and normalizes aerobic capacity in hypercholesterolemic mice. In normal mice, L-arginine enhances exercise-induced EDNO synthesis and aerobic capacity.
Maxwell
A J
AJ
Section of Vascular Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. amaxwell@cookepharma.com
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Bernstein
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Cooke
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D000332:Aerobiosis; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009566:Nitrates / Q000652:urine; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D009566:Nitrates; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine