title: The effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on fasting glucose, HbA1c, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies indicate hyperglycemia and oxidative stress as factors responsible for endothelium dysfunction and the following development of angiopathy. Increased production of free radicals by vascular endothelium causes disturbance in production and/or decreases bioaccessibility of nitric oxide (NO). It has been suggested that L-arginine supplementation is a reasonable method to increase endothelium NO production and lower free radicals formation. There is a growing number of evidence showing that dietary supplementation of arginine reverses endothelial dysfunction associated with major cardiovascular risk factors and ameliorates many common cardiovascular disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential influence of two-months oral L-arginine supplementation on fasting glucose, HbA1c, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status (TAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  38 patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities at Fontaine's stage II and coexisting type 2 diabetes and 12 healthy volunteers as control group were studied. All patients were treated with oral L-arginine (3 x 2 g/day) for two months. Fasting glucose, HbAlc, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured before and after the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fasting glucose and HbAlc did not change significantly after L-arginine treatment. Statistically significant increase in NO concentration and TAS level was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral two-month supplementation with L-arginine (3 x 2 g/day) had no effect on fasting glucose and HbA1 level in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities at Fontaine's stage II. The supplementation of L-arginine led to substantial increase in NO concentration and TAS level in these patients, suggesting its indirect antioxidative effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology of Cardiology Institute, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Długa, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jabłecka
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bogdański
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balcer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cieślewicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skołuda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Musialik
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001120:Arginine; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D009569:Nitric Oxide