L-Arginine in diabetes: clinical and preclinical evidence

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2023 Apr 18;22(1):89. doi: 10.1186/s12933-023-01827-2.

Abstract

L-Arginine (L-Arg), is a semi-essential amino acid involved in the formation of nitric oxide. The functional relevance of L-Arg in diabetes mellitus has been evaluated both in animal models and in human subjects. In the literature there are several lines of evidence indicating that L-Arg has beneficial effects in diabetes and numerous studies advocate its administration to attenuate glucose intolerance in diabetic patients. Here we present a comprehensive overview of the main studies exploring the effects of L-Arg in diabetes, including preclinical and clinical reports on this topic.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Endothelial dysfunction; GLP-1; Glucose metabolism; L-Arginine; NO.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / drug therapy
  • Glucose Intolerance*
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism

Substances

  • Arginine
  • Nitric Oxide