Treatment with L-arginine is likely to stimulate generation of nitric oxide in patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease
Gryglewski, R.J.; Grodzińska, L.; Kostka-Trabka, E.; Korbut, R.; Bieroón, K.; Goszcz, A.; Sławiński, M.
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 108(4): 111-116
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5325 PMID: 8867484 Document Number: 464718
The impairment of endothelial function in hypercholesterolaemic animals and humans is known to be reversed by intravenous infusions of L-arginine (L-ARG), the precursor of NO. 22 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) received L-ARG (60 mmol) as intravenous infusions, each lasting three hours, daily for seven consecutive days. This treatment resulted in elongation of the pain-free and maximum walking distances, as well as shortening of the period of time required for pain relief after walking the maximum distance. A rise in the ankle/arm pressure ratio (AAPR) was associated with an increase of arterial blood flow in both calves. The transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcpO-2) in the ischaemic foot was also increased. After the 1st and the 7th infusion of L-ARG the spontaneous (PAR) as well as the ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation were suppressed, the euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) shortened, plasma levels of platelet activator inhibitor (PAI) decreased, and cGMP levels increased. These data indicate beneficial effects of L-ARG as a therapeutic agent in patients with PAOD. We presume that in these patients high doses of exogenous L-ARG can be partially converted to NO.