Oral L-arginine supplementation and cutaneous vascular responses in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon
Khan F
Published in Arthritis and Rheumatism
Methodology
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial of oral L-arginine for 4 weeks in primary Raynaud's, with laser Doppler measurement of cutaneous vascular responses to cooling and iontophoresed vasodilators.
Key Findings
In 20 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon, four weeks of oral L-arginine did not improve cutaneous blood flow responses to cold challenge or to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, and attack frequency and severity were unchanged versus placebo.
Conclusions
Oral L-arginine does not improve digital vascular responses or symptoms in primary Raynaud's phenomenon, arguing against nitric oxide precursor loading as a treatment.
Limitations
Very small crossover sample, short 4-week exposure, laser Doppler surrogate endpoints, and a single arginine dose regimen that may not raise tissue nitric oxide sufficiently.
Supplements Studied
In 20 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon, four weeks of oral L-arginine did not improve cutaneous blood flow responses to cold challenge or to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, and attack frequency and severity were unchanged versus placebo.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
Access Study
Disclosures
Funding
Academic/charitable research funding
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.