title: Oral L-Arginine Administration Improves Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices Associated With Cardiovascular Diseases in Obese Patients: A Randomized, Single Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, the potential of L-arginine supplementation as a novel and effective strategy for weight loss and improving biochemical parameters in obese patients has been under consideration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of 8-week oral L-arginine supplementation on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TS), subscapular skinfold (SS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), plasma fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with BMI values > 29.9 or visceral obesity (WC > 102 cm in men or > 88 cm in women).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety obese patients were included in a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to receive either L-arginine (3 or 6 g thrice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices, dietary intake, and blood pressure values were measured at the baseline and after the 8-week intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreases in anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (SBP, DBP), FBS, HbA1c, LDL, MDA (P < 0.001), TG (P = 0.02), and TC (P = 0.002) and a significant increase in HDL (P < 0.001) were observed in the intervention group, compared to the control group. In the control group, no significant differences were found between the baseline and end-of-intervention measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, oral L-Arginine supplementation appears to improve anthropometric parameters, blood pressure values, and some blood biochemical indices associated with cardiovascular disease prevention.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dashtabi
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mazloom
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fararouei
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Food Science Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hejazi
keywords: Cardiovascular Systems; Obesity; Risk Factors