title: L-arginine supplementation prolongs exercise capacity in congestive heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In congestive heart failure (CHF), endothelial dysfunction may contribute to impairment of exercise induced vasodilatation and decreased exercise capacity. We hypothesised that administration of L-arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) and postulated antioxidant, may improve endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and exercise capacity and also exert antioxidant activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of oral supplementation with L-arginine on exercise capacity and markers of oxidative stress in patients with mild to moderate CHF.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a randomised double-blind cross-over design. Twenty one patients with stable NYHA II-III CHF underwent three exercise tests: initially, after oral administration of L-arginine (9 g/day for 7 days) or placebo. Blood was sampled prior to each test for plasma lipid peroxides, reduced sulphydryl groups and leukocyte oxygen free radical production.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a higher prolongation of exercise duration time after L-arginine than after placebo (99+/-106 vs 70+/-99 s, p<0.05). There were no significant differences in markers of free radical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with chronic stable CHF, oral supplementation with L-arginine prolongs exercise duration which may be due to NO-induced peripheral vasodilatation. The antioxidant properties of L-arginine have not been confirmed in this ex vivo study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Postgranduate Medical School, Grochowski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Bronisław
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bednarz
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jaxa-Chamiec
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gebalska
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herbaczyńska-Cedro
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ceremuzyński
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D001120:Arginine