Abstract Title:

Beneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract Source:

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Nov;291(5):E906-12. Epub 2006 Jun 13. PMID: 16772327

Abstract Author(s):

Pietro Lucotti, Emanuela Setola, Lucilla D Monti, Elena Galluccio, Sabrina Costa, Emilia P Sandoli, Isabella Fermo, Giovanni Rabaiotti, Roberto Gatti, PierMarco Piatti

Article Affiliation:

Diabetology, Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease Unit, Fondazione Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor, Milan, Italy.

Abstract:

Because chronic L-arginine supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and endothelial function in nonobese type 2 diabetic patients, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a long-term oral L-arginine therapy on adipose fat mass (FM) and muscle free-fat mass (FFM) distribution, daily glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and adipokine release in obese type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance who were treated with a combined period of hypocaloric diet and exercise training. Thirty-three type 2 diabetic patients participated in a hypocaloric diet plus an exercise training program for 21 days. Furthermore, they were divided into two groups in randomized order: the first group was also treated with L-arginine (8.3 g/day), and the second group was treated with placebo. Although in the placebo group body weight, waist circumference, daily glucose profiles, fructosamine, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment index significantly decreased, L-arginine supplementation further decreased FM (P<0.05) and waist circumference (P<0.0001), preserving FFM (P<0.03), and improved mean daily glucose profiles (P<0.0001) and fructosamine (P<0.03). Moreover, change in area under the curve of cGMP (second messenger of nitric oxide; P<0.001), superoxide dismutase (index of antioxidant capacity; P<0.01), and adiponectin levels (P<0.02) increased, whereas basal endothelin-1 levels (P<0.01) and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (P<0.05) decreased in the L-arginine group. Long-term oral L-arginine treatment resulted in an additive effect compared with a diet and exercise training program alone on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, it improved endothelial function, oxidative stress, and adipokine release in obese type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance.

Study Type : Human Study

Print Options


Key Research Topics

This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2008-2024 GreenMedInfo.com, Journal Articles copyright of original owners, MeSH copyright NLM.