Arginine Intake Research Articles

Effects of arginine intake during weight training on blood variables.

This experiment studied the effect of arginine intake on blood pressure and blood variables during weight training in 20 men in their 20s. The resistance exercise program was performed 3 times a week at 60% of one repetition maximum for 8 weeks. The arginine intake group consumed 1,000 mg of arginine 2 tablets per day before weight training for 8 weeks. The placebo group was instructed to consume two of placebo with water, the same as the arginine intake group. After 8 weeks, the day after the end of the resistance exercise program, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, muscle mass, and maximum muscle strength were measured. In changes in systolic blood pressure, the arginine intake group was 118.20±2.40 mmHg, showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the placebo group. Triglyceride in the arginine intake group was 112.62±2.40 mg/dL, showing a statistically significant decrease compared to the placebo group. Based on these results, arginine intake during resistance exercise is judged to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure, and is also believed to reduce triglycerides, a blood lipid variable, so it is thought to function as a supplement during exercise.

Arginine ingestion inhibits phagocyte invasion in eccentrically contracted rat fast-twitch muscle.

Eccentric contraction (ECC) has been shown to induce leukocyte invasion into skeletal muscle, resulting in muscle inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether prior ingestion of L-arginine (ARG), a nitric oxide precursor, inhibits ECC-induced macrophage invasion. Male Wistar rats received ARG in water for 7days, beginning 3days prior to ECC. ECCs were induced in the anterior crural muscles for 200 cycles. Three days later, the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles were excised for biochemical analysis and force measurement, respectively. ARG ingestion increased nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma and muscle, inhibiting force depression and reducing CD68 content in muscles subjected to ECC. ARG ingestion also ameliorated an ECC-induced increase in protein nitration, although neither ARG ingestion nor ECC induction affected protein carbonyl levels. The present results suggest that ingestion of ARG or ARG-rich foods may alleviate inflammation by attenuating phagocyte invasion in eccentrically contracted skeletal muscles.

Dietary intakes of methionine, threonine, lysine, arginine and histidine increased risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese population: does the mediation effect of obesity exist?

BackgroundPublished studies have shown positive associations of branched chain and aromatic amino acids with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the findings remain consistent. However, the associations of other essential and semi-essential amino acids, i.e., methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), lysine (Lys), arginine (Arg) and histidine (His), with T2DM remain unknown. Obesity is an important independent risk factor for T2DM, and excessive amino acids can convert into glucose and lipids, which might underlie the associations of amino acids with obesity. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the associations between dietary intakes of these 5 amino acids and T2DM risk, as well as the mediation effects of obesity on these associations, in a Chinese population.MethodsA total of 10,920 participants (57,293 person-years) were included, and dietary intakes of 5 amino acids were investigated using 24-h dietary recalls. Anthropometric obesity indices were measured at both baseline and the follow-up endpoints. Associations of amino acids with T2DM were estimated using COX regression models, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were shown. The mediation effects of obesity indices were analyzed, and the proportion of the mediation effect was estimated.ResultsHigher intakes of the 5 amino acids were associated with increasing T2DM risk, while significant HRs were only shown in men after adjustments. No interaction by gender was found. Regression analyses using quintiles of amino acids intakes showed that T2DM risk was positively associated with amino acids intakes only when comparing participants with the highest intake levels of amino acids to those with the lowest intake levels. Adjusted correlation coefficients between amino acid intakes and obesity indices measured at follow-up endpoints were significantly positive. Mediation analyses showed that mediation effects of obesity indices existed on associations between amino acids intakes and T2DM risk, and the mediation effect of waist circumference remained strongest for each amino acid.ConclusionsWe found positive associations of dietary intakes of Met, Thr, Lys, Arg and His with increasing T2DM risk in general Chinese residents, on which the mediation effect of obesity existed. These findings could be helpful for developing more constructive guidance in the primary prevention of T2DM based on dietary interventions.

Evidence and Recommendation for Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency Newborn Screening.

Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of creatine biosynthesis due to pathogenic variants in the GAMT gene that lead to cerebral creatine deficiency and neurotoxic levels of guanidinoacetate. Untreated, GAMT deficiency is associated with hypotonia, significant intellectual disability, limited speech development, recurrent seizures, behavior problems, and involuntary movements. The birth prevalence of GAMT deficiency is likely between 0.5 and 2 per million live births. On the basis of small case series and sibling data, presymptomatic treatment with oral supplements of creatine, ornithine, and sodium benzoate, and a protein-restricted diet to reduce arginine intake, appear to substantially improve health and developmental outcomes. Without newborn screening, diagnosis typically happens after the development of significant impairment, when treatment has limited utility. GAMT deficiency newborn screening can be incorporated into the tandem-mass spectrometry screening that is already routinely used for newborn screening, with about 1 per 100 000 newborns screening positive. After a positive screen, diagnosis is established by finding an elevated guanidinoacetate concentration and low creatine concentration in the blood. Although GAMT deficiency is significantly more rare than other conditions included in newborn screening, the feasibility of screening, the low number of positive results, the relative ease of diagnosis, and the expected benefit of presymptomatic dietary therapy led to a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that GAMT deficiency be added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. This recommendation was accepted in January 2023.

Phase IIa Clinical Biomarker Trial of Dietary Arginine Restriction and Aspirin in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

After potentially curative treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remain at high risk for recurrence, second primary CRC, and high-risk adenomas. In combination with existing data, our previous findings provide a rationale for reducing tissue polyamines as tertiary prevention in non-metastatic CRC patients. The goal of this study was to demonstrate rectal tissue polyamine reduction in optimally treated stage I-III CRC patients after intervention with daily oral aspirin + dietary arginine restriction. A single-institution phase IIa clinical trial was conducted. Patients were treated with aspirin 325 mg/day and an individualized dietary regimen designed to reduce arginine intake by ≥30% over a 12-week study period. Dietary intake, endoscopy with rectal biopsies, and phlebotomy were performed pre- and post-intervention. The primary endpoint was to demonstrate ≥50% decrease in rectal tissue putrescine levels from baseline as a measure of polyamine reduction in the target tissue. Twenty eligible patients completed the study. After study intervention, mean dietary arginine intake decreased from 3.7 g/day ± 1.3 SD to 2.6 g/day ± 1.2 SD (29.7% decrease, p < 0.02 by Sign test). Mean plasma arginine levels decreased from 46.0 ng/mL ± 31.5 SD at baseline to 35 ng/mL ± 21.7 SD (p < 0.001). Rectal tissue putrescine levels were 0.90 nMol/mg-protein pre-intervention and 0.99 nMol/mg-protein post-intervention (p < 0.64, NS). No significant differences were observed for the other tissue polyamines investigated: spermidine (p < 0.13), spermine (p < 0.21), spermidine:spermine ratio (p < 0.71). Among CRC survivors, treatment with daily oral aspirin and an individualized dietary arginine restriction intervention resulted in lower calculated dietary arginine intake and plasma arginine levels but did not affect rectal tissue polyamine levels.

Net Renal Arginine Flux in Rats is Not Affected by Dietary Arginine or Dietary Protein Intake

Kidneys of adult animals serve as a major biosynthetic source of arginine. Recently, we demonstrated that kidneys of rats infused with citrulline responded to the elevated plasma citrulline concentrations by increasing citrulline uptake and producing greater quantities of arginine. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of feeding adult male rats different levels of arginine or protein on renal arginine synthesis. Feeding arginine (0, 0.5 and 2.0%) for 1 wk increased circulating plasma concentrations of arginine 2.5-fold (196 mumol/L) in the 2.0% arginine group compared with the 0 and 0.5% arginine groups (73 and 81 mumol/L, respectively). However, the plasma citrulline concentration was unchanged. The renal uptake of citrulline and release of arginine were similar in all the three groups fed different levels of arginine. Feeding diets containing 5, 12 and 50% protein for 1 wk did not alter the circulating plasma concentrations of either citrulline or arginine, and there were no significant differences in the renal release of arginine. These results suggest that renal arginine synthesis is independent of dietary arginine or protein intake.

Modeling the response of Japanese quail to arginine intake.

Understanding how Japanese quails respond to arginine intake has been an objective that previous studies have not fulfilled. The main responses to be quantified include the arginine requirement for maintenance (mg/kg0.67) and egg mass production (mg/g). Quantifying maintenance and production relationships are essential steps for predicting animal response. The current study aimed to describe how quails respond to arginine intake and determine arginine requirements for maintenance and egg production in Japanese quails. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments and seven replicates with individual birds as experimental units. The arginine levels were: 2.43, 3.64, 4.85, 6.07, 9.07, 12.13, and 14.56 g/kg. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The variables analyzed were daily arginine intake, daily arginine deposition in eggs, and body weight. The data were analyzed using a mixed model, with the experimental unit being the random effect and the experimental levels of arginine as a fixed effect. When the effect of arginine levels was detected (P≤0.05), saturation kinetics and an exponential model with four parameters (monomolecular) were adopted. ANOVA results indicated that dietary arginine levels significantly affected (P<0.01) the analyzed variables. The formulation strategy of the experimental diets allowed amplitude in the dietary arginine levels, and according to bird responses, arginine was the limiting nutrient. The arginine requirement for body weight maintenance (BW0.67) was estimated to be 90 mg/kg BW0.67 by the monomolecular function. The requirement for egg mass (EM) production was estimated to be 25 mg/g per egg. A factorial model was parameterized as follows: daily arginine intake mg/bird = 90 × BW0.67 + 25 × EM ± 12 mg. The model was applied to data obtained from literature, and the resultant error was within the expected limit of 12 mg. The recommended daily arginine intake for the daily production of 11 g of egg and 180 g of BW was determined to be 304 mg/bird. The current study provides procedures that researchers can easily adopt.

The role and control of arginine levels in arginase 1 deficiency.

Arginase 1 Deficiency (ARG1-D) is a rare urea cycle disorder that results in persistent hyperargininemia and a distinct, progressive neurologic phenotype involving developmental delay, intellectual disability, and spasticity, predominantly affecting the lower limbs and leading to mobility impairment. Unlike the typical presentation of other urea cycle disorders, individuals with ARG1-D usually appear healthy at birth and hyperammonemia is comparatively less severe and less common. Clinical manifestations typically begin to develop in early childhood in association with high plasma arginine levels, with hyperargininemia (and not hyperammonemia) considered to be the primary driver of disease sequelae. Nearly five decades of clinical experience with ARG1-D and empirical studies in genetically manipulated models have generated a large body of evidence that, when considered in aggregate, implicates arginine directly in disease pathophysiology. Severe dietary protein restriction to minimize arginine intake and diversion of ammonia from the urea cycle are the mainstay of care. Although this approach does reduce plasma arginine and improve patients' cognitive and motor/mobility manifestations, it is inadequate to achieve and maintain sufficiently low arginine levels and prevent progression in the long term. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of the clinical and scientific literature, the effects and limitations of the current standard of care, and the authors' perspectives regarding the past, current, and future management of ARG1-D.

66. Modelling Japanese quail egg production responses to arginine intake by different mathematical functions: A factorial approach

66. Modelling Japanese quail egg production responses to arginine intake by different mathematical functions: A factorial approach

Effects of single ingestion of arginine on mTORC1 activation in rat fast- and slow-twitch muscles

This study aimed to examine whether a single ingestion of arginine activates the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in rat fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscles. In the first experiment, the rats were orally administered arginine (3 or 10 mmol/kg body weight) in water. The plantaris, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were excised 1 h after the administration. Immunoblot analysis showed that the administration with a higher dose (10 mmol/kg) resulted in increased phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) and ribosomal protein S6 only in the soleus muscles. The amounts of cellular arginine sensor for mTORC1 subunit 1 (CASTOR1) expressed were similar in these three muscles. In the second experiment, the plantaris and soleus muscles were excised 1 h after the administration of 10 mmol/kg of arginine. The binding of CASTOR1 to the GATOR2 complex was not detected in either muscle in co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses, irrespective of arginine administration. In the third experiment, a role of nitric oxide (NO) was elucidated. Treatment with an inhibitor of NO synthase blocked the arginine-induced increase in S6K phosphorylation. These results indicate that a single ingestion of arginine is capable of activating mTORC1 only in slow-twitch muscles and suggest that the activation may be mediated via NO, but not via the CASTOR1-GATOR2 complex pathway.

Arginine requirement for egg production in Japanese quail

The objective of this study was to determine the ideal arginine intake for egg production in Japanese quail using the dilution technique. A completely random design was used, with 8 treatments (seven concentrations of arginine plus a control diet) and ten replicates, totaling 80 Japanese quails. The digestible arginine levels included in the study were 0.361%, 0.603%, 0.843%, 1.084%, 1.204%, 1.311%, and 1.460%. The variables analyzed were feed intake, egg production (EP), egg weight, egg output (EO), feed conversion ratio, and body weight were performed using a mixed model. When the effect of arginine levels (P ≤ 0.05) was detected, the model's broken line linear-plateau (BL), quadratic-plateau (BLq), and the first intercept of the BLq in the plateau of BL were adjusted to determine the ideal arginine intake. It observed that the arginine levels modified the quail responses (P < 0.001). Egg production was 10% with the 0.361% arginine in diet and recovered (97%) with the 1.311% arginine diet. The BL and BLq models estimated 232 mg/quail per day and 351 mg/quail per day for EO, respectively. The first intercept obtained was 290 mg/quail per day or 1,411%, which was considered the optimum level arginine intake for EO in Japanese quail.

Comparative Estimation of Arginine Content in Peanuts: An Analytical Study

Introduction: Arginine is an amino acid that has several positive effects on human health and peanut seeds are the richest source of it. Peanuts are the store houses loaded with proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, fiber and other phytochemicals. It has been shown that the intake of arginine at the concentration of 3-6 g/day has been found to improve the cardiovascular system, reduce intestinal permeability and activate the immune system that aids in early recovery of tuberculosis patients. Aim: To evaluate the variation of arginine content in raw, boiled, soaked, soaked and boiled type of peeled and unpeeled peanuts. Materials and Methods: The analytical study on various groups of peanuts (raw, boiled, soaked, soaked and boiled peanuts of both peeled and unpeeled varieties) was conducted at Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, in December 2019. The arginine content was estimated in peanut seeds using the Sakaguchi method by Spectrophotometry at wavelength of 520 nm. Descriptive statistics were done for all 12 groups and were represented with mean, standard deviation and standard error. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Post-hoc Tukey’s were applied to find statistical significance. The p-value &lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for analysis. Results: Concentration of arginine was recorded for each type in triplicate considering the mean. The raw soaked peeled peanuts had the lowest concentration of arginine (31.82 µg/g) and the soaked boiled for 15 minutes, unpeeled peanuts had the highest amount of arginine (1438.18 µg/g). Significant difference was found among the twelve groups by using ANOVA test p&lt;0.001. Soaked and boiled 15 min peeled peanuts, soaked unpeeled, soaked and boiled 15 min unpeeled and soaked and boiled 30 min unpeeled were significantly different when compared to the remaining groups using Post hoc Tukey’s test p&lt;0.05. Conclusion: Soaked, boiled and unpeeled peanuts were the best types with the highest amounts of arginine which could be chosen as adjuvant nutritional therapeutic supplement to aid in the recovery of certain diseases.

Short-Term Effects of Supplemental L-Arginine, Diosmin, Troxerutin, and Hesperidin in Diabetic Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background and Aims Inflammatory, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of long-term cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes. The present observational prospective study is aimed at evaluating the effects of micronutrients and phytochemicals contained in the dietary supplement Flebotrofine® (AMNOL Chimica Biologica) on biochemical markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Methods 105 type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients regularly took a daily dose of the dietary supplement Flebotrofine® for three consecutive months, and haematological and biochemical parameters were checked at baseline, after three months of treatment, and one month after its suspension. Statistical comparison of the laboratory parameters was performed using the two-tailed ANOVA test for repeated samples with a statistical significance level set at p < 0.05. Results The daily use of Flebotrofine® did not change the glycemic metabolic compensation of enrolled patients. After three months of regular Flebotrofine® intake, the plasma levels of the antioxidant β-carotene and of arginine were significantly higher compared with the baseline values, with a decrease in the ADMA/arginine ratio. In contrast, apolipoprotein B, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, and platelet and leukocyte counts significantly dropped. Conclusion The daily use of Flebotrofine® might be a valid supplement of arginine, the precursor of NO, and essential in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction. The regular intake of arginine and phytochemicals also improved the antioxidant and antithrombotic profile of enrolled patients. Therefore, Flebotrofine® could be a useful dietary supplement to prevent long-term complications in patients with diabetes.

Arginine: What You Need to Know for Pressure Injury Healing.

To provide information about arginine, its metabolism, and its role in acute and chronic wound healing, to assist providers in understanding the recommendations for arginine supplementation. This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Describe the characteristics of arginine.2. Choose the metabolic processes that define arginine's role in wound healing.3. Identify the average daily intake of arginine in an American diet.4. Select the evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of arginine supplementation for wound healing. Nutrition has an important and integral role in wound healing. Arginine, a type of indispensable amino acid, has long been thought to have wound healing properties. The 2019 international guideline by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance recommends use of a high-protein, high-calorie oral nutrition supplement fortified with arginine and other antioxidants to treat adults with stage 2 or greater pressure injury and who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition to foster healing. This article provides necessary background on this conditionally indispensable amino acid, its metabolism, and its role in acute and chronic wound healing to assist providers in understanding the recommendation for arginine supplementation.

Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure with High Dose of Arginine Impact on Circulating Mediators of Tissue Regeneration.

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia (IHE) increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which, as signalling molecules, participate in tissue injury–repair–regeneration cascade. The process is also stimulated by arginine whose bioavailability is a limiting factor for NO synthesis. The effects of IHE in combination with arginine (Arg) intake on myogenesis and angiogenesis mediators were examined in a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Blood samples were collected from 38 elite athletes on the 1st, 7th and 14th days during the training camp. The oral doses of arginine (2 × 6 g/day) and/or IHE using hypoxicator GO2Altitude (IHE and Arg/IHE) were applied. Serum NO and H2O2 concentrations increased significantly and were related to muscle damage (CK activity >900 IU/mL) in IHE and Arg/IHE compared to placebo. The changes in NO and H2O2 elevated the levels of circulating growth factors such as HGF, IHG-1, PDGFBB, BDNF, VEGF and EPO. Modification of the lipid profile, especially reduced non-HDL, was an additional beneficial effect of hypoxic exposure with arginine intake. Intermittent hypoxic exposure combined with high-dose arginine intake was demonstrated to affect circulating mediators of injury–repair–regeneration. Therefore, a combination of IHE and arginine seems to be a potential therapeutic and non-pharmacological method to modulate the myogenesis and angiogenesis in elite athletes.

Effects of Amino Acid Supplementation on Liver Lipid Content: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives To test whether chronic ingestion of essential amino acids (EAAs) plus arginine lowers liver lipid content when compared with a placebo (non-essential amino acids; NEAAs). Methods Older adults (50–75 y) with elevated fasting plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were recruited into the study. After screening (week -2), all participants ingested placebo (NEAAs; alanine, aspartic acid, and serine) capsules twice daily (between meals) for two weeks and 3 T nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans were used to determine baseline (week 0) liver lipid percentage. Participants were then randomised to receive capsules containing 11 g of EAAs plus arginine (n = 10) or NEAAs (n = 9) twice daily for eight weeks, using a double-blinded design. Follow-up NMR spectroscopy scans were conducted at eight weeks after the onset of randomised supplementation (week 8) to determine the impact on liver lipids. Results Liver lipid percentage (mean ± standard deviation) was not significantly altered by randomised supplementation in either the EAAs plus arginine group (Pre: 9.08 ± 7.90%; Post: 8.94 ± 6.91%; P = 0.65) or the NEAAs group (Pre: 10.23 ± 7.20%; Post: 9.65 ± 7.70%; P = 0.18). Change in fasting plasma TAG during placebo run-in (Week 0 minus screening) was significantly negatively correlated with change in liver lipid content (week 8 minus week 0) for the EAAs plus arginine group (r = −0.722; P = 0.02), but not for the NEAAs group A (r = −0.479; P = 0.19). Conclusions Eight weeks of essential amino acids plus arginine ingestion did not significantly lower liver lipid content in older adults. However, ingestion of non-essential amino acids during the run-in period may have influenced the effect on liver fat of subsequent randomised amino acid supplementation, suggesting further investigation is warranted. Funding Sources The study was sponsored by NIH/NIA (award to EB), and the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust (award to NMH). Screenings and study visits were undertaken within the ITS-Clinical Research Center at UTMB, funded by NIH/NCRR, and within the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS, funded by NIH/NIA. NMH and EB were also funded by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, the major research component of the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act of 2000.

Arginine requirements for maintenance and egg production for broiler breeder hens

Two studies were conducted with objective of determine the specific requirements of arginine (Arg) for maintenance using different unit systems; evaluate the response of broiler breeder hens of Ross 308AP genotype to different intakes of arginine, determine amino acid utilization efficiency (k), and develop a factorial model. One nitrogen balance trial (Experiment 1) was performed using 42 roosters and another dose response trial was performed using 64 broiler breeder hens (Experiment 2). The nitrogen balance trial lasted five days with 48 h of fasting (with roosters receiving only water + sucrose) and the last 72 h for feeding and excreta collection. Forty grams of each diet first-limiting in arginine was fed by tube each day (three days) to give a range of intakes from 0 to 18.5 g/kg BW d of arginine. Excreta were collected during the last 3 days of the balance period and the nitrogen content of the excreta was analyzed. A linear regression between nitrogen retention (NR) and arginine intake was performed. The studies were conducted in a complete random design. Were used with 6 treatments, 6 replicates for Experiment 1 and, 8 treatments with 6 replicates for Experiment 2, and one bird per cage. To confirm that the amino acid studied was indeed limiting and that the responses were due to the limitation of the test amino acid and not protein, we added one more treatment consisting of a control diet (totaling 7 treatments for Experiment 1 and 8 treatments for Experiment 2). The diets were formulated by dilution technique using one summit diet and one nitrogen (N)-free diet, resulting in AA levels that ranged from 2.37 to 10.27 g of arginine/kg. The data obtained were AA intake (AAI), body weight (BW), and egg output (EO). Broken line model was used to evaluate the responses. The equation from linear regression was: NR = -39.9 (± 4.5) + 1.8 (± 0.1) × Arg. The arginine required to maintain the body at zero NR were calculated to be 23 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. For the system unit mg per kg of metabolic weight, the intake of arginine was 36. Considering the degree of maturity of the animal and body protein content the amounts of arginine required for maintenance was calculated to be 151 mg per unit of maintenance protein (BP m0.73 × u) per day. The values estimated by the model for utilization efficiency was 62 %. The arginine requirement estimated by the model at 30 weeks was 753 mg/day. The prediction of the model was improved using the coefficients estimated here with physiologically relevant units.

Impact of enteral arginine supplementation on lysine metabolism in humans: A proof-of-concept for lysine-related inborn errors of metabolism.

Patients with lysine-related inborn errors of metabolism (pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy [PDE] and glutaric aciduria type 1 [GA1]), follow a lysine-restricted diet with arginine-fortified lysine-free amino acid formula and additional oral arginine supplementation as a newer therapy for PDE. The rationale of arginine supplementation is based on arginine's ability to compete with lysine transport across cell membranes via shared transporter systems. Adequate doses of arginine required to competitively inhibit enteral lysine uptake has not been studied in humans This proof-of-concept study investigates the effect of incremental enteral arginine doses on whole-body lysine oxidation using an in vivo stable isotope tracer, L-[1-13 C] lysine, in healthy humans. Five healthy men completed six study days each consuming one dose of l-arginine HCl per study day; range = 50-600 mg/kg/d. Lysine intake was at DRI (30 mg/kg/d). Breath samples were analysed for L-[1-13 C] lysine oxidation to 13 CO2 using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Plasma amino acid concentrations were analysed using an amino acid analyser. Increasing doses of l-arginine HCl caused a linear decrease in whole-body lysine oxidation. Plasma arginine concentration increased, and plasma lysine concentration decreased below normal range with high arginine intakes. We provide the first empirical evidence of arginine-lysine antagonism in response to increasing oral arginine doses. Results suggest 300-600 mg/kg/d of l-arginine HCl and lysine intake restricted to DRI is needed to reduce enteral lysine uptake and systemic lysine oxidation. This could potentially lead to a recommended dose for arginine in lysine-related inborn errors of metabolism.

The differences in the consumption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet of pregnant women diagnosed with arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension and hypothyroidism

BackgroundExcessive body weight induces the occurrence of arterial hypertension. The risk associated with irregularities during the perinatal period is increased in women with diagnosed hypothyroidism. Disorders of thyroid functions during pregnancy may cause higher body weight gains. The aim of this project was to determine the differences in the average daily intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in women with arterial hypertension and with hypothyroidism.MethodsThe control group (Group I) included healthy women. In this group, no complications during the course of pregnancy were observed and the delivery was on the due date. Group II was comprised of patients with arterial hypertension. Group III included patients with arterial hypertension, who were diagnosed with hypothyroidism before pregnancy. The women’s eating habits and dietary composition were analyzed based on a dietary assessment.ResultsWomen with arterial hypertension (Group II) consumed the highest number of calories per day, while women with a normal pregnancy consumed the lowest amount of calories. The daily consumption of vegetable protein was similar in all study groups. The average daily consumption of fat, cholesterol and carbohydrates was the highest among women with diagnosed arterial hypertension. Women with arterial hypertension and hypothyroidism more frequently gave birth before the 38th week of pregnancy. The average daily intake of Arginine, Lysine, Methionine and Tryptophan was lower in the group of women with a normal pregnancy than in the two other groups.ConclusionsExcessive calorie intake causing significant body weight gain fostered the occurrence of arterial hypertension during pregnancy.

Relationship between arginine intake in parenteral nutrition and preterm neonatal population plasma arginine concentrations: a systematic review.

ContextVery preterm neonates (VPNs) are unable to digest breast milk and therefore rely on parenteral nutrition (PN) formulations. This systematic review was prepared following PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines. For the purpose of this review, desirable mean plasma arginine concentration is defined as ≥80 micromoles/L.ObjectiveThe review was performed to answer the following research question: “In VPNs, are high amounts of arginine in PN, compared with low amounts of arginine, associated with appropriate circulating concentrations of arginine?” Therefore, the aims were to 1) quantify the relationship between parenteral arginine intakes and plasma arginine concentrations in PN-dependent VPNs; 2) identify any features of study design that affect this relationship; and 3) estimate the target parenteral arginine dose to achieve desirable preterm plasma arginine concentrations.Data SourcesThe PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched regardless of study design; review articles were not included.Data ExtractionOnly articles that discussed amino acid (AA) intake and measured plasma AA profile post PN in VPNs were included. Data were obtained using a data extraction checklist that was devised for the purpose of this review.Data AnalysisTwelve articles met the inclusion criteria. The dose–concentration relationship of arginine content (%) and absolute arginine intake (mg/(kg × d)) with plasma arginine concentrations showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001).ConclusionFuture studies using AA solutions with arginine content of 17%–20% and protein intakes of 3.5–4.0 g/kg per day may be needed to achieve higher plasma arginine concentrations.