P99 THE EFFECT OF L-ARGININE ON THE VASCULAR FUNCTION IN HEALTHY TRAINED AND SEDENTARY SUBJECTS

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to determine whether the use of food supplement L-arginine improves vascular function, which could be beneficial in preventing the formation and development of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated differences between trained and sedentary subjects. Method: Measurements were performed in healthy normotensive men, divided into four groups, according to age and physical activity: 12 young sedentary (YS) (mean age 23,5±2,4) and age matched trained (YT) (N = 18); 11 elder sedentary (ES) (mean age 45,7±7,5) and age matched trained (ET) (N = 12) subjects. Parameters were measured at rest with the Task Force Monitor device (CNSystems Medizintechnik, Austria) before and after administration of 0.9 g L-arginine. Results: After ingestion of L-arginine the heart rate in all groups statistically significantly decreased (YS 70.4±4.2 vs. 66.3±3.3; YT 62.1±2.7 vs. 58.3±2.0; ES 69.6±3.2 vs. 62.7±2.7; ET 58.0±1.8 vs. 53.6±1.2 beats/min) (paired t-test, p < 0.05). The cardiac output decreased in three groups (YT 7.04±0.4 vs. 6.32±0.3; ES 6.95±0.5 vs. 5.9±0.4; ET 7.08±0.6 vs. 6.58±0.4 L/min) (paired t-test, p < 0.05). The systolic (126.3±4.1 vs. 120.0±3.2 mmHg) and diastolic pressure (77.6±2.5 vs. 74.3±1.9 mmHg) (paired t-test, p < 0.05) decreased in the ES group. Conclusions: The systemic effect of L-arginine was observed. Improved cardiovascular function in response to L-arginine could justify the use of dietary L-arginine supplementation.