Abstract Title:

L-arginine supplementation improves exercise capacity after a heart transplant.

Abstract Source:

Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May;91(5):1261-7. Epub 2010 Mar 3. PMID: 20200265

Abstract Author(s):

Stéphane Doutreleau, Olivier Rouyer, Paola Di Marco, Evelyne Lonsdorfer, Ruddy Richard, François Piquard, Bernard Geny

Article Affiliation:

Medicine Faculty, Physiology Institute, Strasbourg, France. [email protected]

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is associated with the decreased exercise capacity observed in heart-transplant (HTx) recipients. L-arginine supplementation (LAS) stimulates the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and restores endothelial function.

OBJECTIVE: We compared exercise capacity in healthy subjects and HTx patients and investigated whether chronic LAS might improve exercise capacity and NO/endothelin balance after an HTx.

DESIGN: Clinical, echocardiographic, and exercise characteristics were measured in 11 control subjects and 22 HTx recipients. In a prospective, double-blind study, the 22 HTx recipients performed a 6-min exercise [6-min-walk test (6MWT)] and a maximal bicycle exercise test before and after a 6-wk period of placebo intake or LAS. Endothelial function was measured by analyzing blood NO metabolites, endothelin, and the resulting NO/endothelin balance.

RESULTS: Exercise capacity decreased after transplantation. Unlike with the placebo intake, 6 wk of LAS improved quality of life in HTx recipients (mean +/- SEM Minnesota Score: from 15.3 +/- 1.3 to 10.6 +/- 1.1; P<0.001) and their submaximal exercise capacity. The distance walked during the 6MWT increased (from 525 +/- 20 to 580 +/- 20 m; P = 0.002), and the ventilatory threshold during the incremental test was delayed by 1.2 min (P = 0.01). Central factors such as resting stroke volume, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac systolodiastolic functions, and heart-rate reserve were not modified, but LAS significantly increased the NO:endothelin ratio (from 2.49 +/- 0.38 to 3.31 +/- 0.39; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Oral LAS may be a useful adjuvant therapeutic to improve quality of life and exercise tolerance in HTx recipients.

Study Type : Human Study

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