L-arginine improves endothelial function and reduces LDL oxidation in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Yin et al., 2005 | Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Yin Wei-Hsian, Chen Jaw-Wen, ... Lin Shing-Jong. L-arginine improves endothelial function and reduces LDL oxidation in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Clin Nutr. 2005-Dec;24(6):988-97

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of oral L-arginine on endothelial function, intravascular oxidative stress, and circulating inflammatory markers in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Thirty-one stable CAD patients were randomly assigned to oral L-arginine (10 g) or vitamin C (500 mg, an antioxidant, as active control) daily for 4 weeks, with crossover to the alternate therapy after 2 weeks off therapy, in this study. Brachial artery endothelial function studies were performed and serum concentrations of lipids and inflammatory markers were measured at baseline, at the end of each 4-week treatment period and at the 2-week wash-out period. Susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles to oxidation, a marker of oxidative stress, was determined in 11 patients at random before and after 4-week treatment of oral L-arginine. RESULTS: We demonstrates that consumption of either L-arginine or vitamin C significantly increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (mean diameter change from baseline of 4.87%, P<0.0001 and of 3.17%, P=0.0003, respectively). Neither oral L-arginine nor vitamin C affected lipid profiles and circulating levels of inflammatory markers. However, in the 11 patients whose LDL susceptibility to oxidation was determined, lag time significantly increased by 27.1% (P=0.045) after consumption of L-arginine for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Oral L-arginine supplement improved endothelial function and reduced LDL oxidation in stable CAD patients.

Key Findings

We demonstrates that consumption of either L-arginine or vitamin C significantly increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (mean diameter change from baseline of 4.87%, P<0.0001 and of 3.17%, P=0.0003, respectively). Neither oral L-arginine nor vitamin C affected lipid profiles and circulating levels of inflammatory markers. However, in the 11 patients whose LDL susceptibility to oxidation was determined, lag time significantly increased by 27.1% (P=0.045) after consumption of L-arginin

Outcomes Measured

• inflammatory markers

Population

MeSH Terms

• Administration, Oral
• Arginine
• Ascorbic Acid
• Cohort Studies
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Cross-Over Studies
• Endothelium, Vascular
• Female
• Humans
• Lipoproteins, LDL
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Oxidative Stress
• Safety

Evidence Classification

• Level: Rct
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Vertical: arginine-cardiovascular

Provenance

• PMID: 16140428
• DOI: (not available)
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09