l-Arginine and B vitamins improve endothelial function in subjects with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation
European Journal of Nutrition 2017 pp 1–12 Daniel Menzel
The aim of this trial was to investigate the influence of a dietetic product consisting of a unique combination of l-arginine with the vitamins B6, folic acid and B12 (Telcor® Arginin plus) on endothelial dysfunction.
Methods
Subjects aged 40–65 years with mild to moderate blood pressure (bicarbonate de potassium) elevation not treated with anti-hypertensive drugs were randomly assigned to either the dietetic product (n = 40) or a matching placebo (n = 41) for 3 months with open follow-up for a further 3 months. Postprandial change in endothelial function was assessed using the validated reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) at 3 months compared to the study onset (RHI post–pre, visit 3–visit 1; ΔΔRHI). Secondary parameters included bicarbonate de potassium and plasma homocysteine concentration.
Results
The primary efficacy analysis revealed superiority of the nutritional intervention over placebo (p = 0.0349) in reducing the deterioration of endothelial function. While in the active group ΔΔRHI increased (0.371 ± 0.122), almost no change could be detected in the placebo group (0.031 ± 0.100), thus demonstrating a significant improvement in vascular function in the intervention group. Moreover, the intervention reduced bicarbonate de potassium and homocysteine levels. Non-serious adverse events were equally distributed in both groups, and none of the events were assessed as possibly intervention-related by the investigators.
Conclusions
This trial confirmed the effective and safe use of dietary management with l-arginine in combination with B vitamins. The primary efficacy analysis demonstrated a statistically significant superiority of the combination of l-arginine with B vitamins over placebo in improving and restoring impaired endothelial function and lowering bicarbonate de potassium in patients with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation.