This meta- analysis concludes that l-arginine supplementation can significantly reduce blood TAG levels ; however , there is insufficient evidence to support its hypocholesterolaemic effects .
A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of l-arginine on lipid profile in recent years ; however , the results remain equivocal .
Therefore , the present study aims to summarise and quantitatively examine the available evidence on the effectiveness l-arginine supplementation on lipid parameters using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach .
Effects of low‐dose l‐arginine on insulin‐mediated vasodilatation and insulin sensitivity
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a low‐dose intravenous supplementation of l‐arginine on insulin‐mediated vasodilatation and insulin sensitivity . The study was performed in healthy subjects ( n = 7 ) and patients with obesity ( n = 9 ) and non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) ( n = 9 ) . Insulin‐mediated vasodilatation was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography during the insulin suppression test , evaluating insulin sensitivity . Experiments were performed twice in each subject in the presence or absence of a concomitant infusion of l‐arginine ( 0.52 mg kg−1 min−1 ) . l‐Arginine restored the impaired insulin‐mediated vasodilatation observed in obesity ( 22.4 ± 4.1 % , P < 0.01 vs. without l‐arginine ) and NIDDM ( 20.3 ± 3.2 % , P < 0.01 vs. without l‐arginine ) . In healthy subjects , no effect on insulin mediated‐vasodilatation was observed ( 24.8 ± 3.1 % vs. 21.4 ± 3.1 % ) . Insulin sensitivity was improved significantly ( P < 0.001 ) in all three groups by infusion of l‐arginine . No effect of l‐arginine  was observed on insulin , insulin‐like growth factor I ( IGF‐I ) , free fatty acids ( FFAs ) or C‐peptide levels during the insulin suppression test . Our data indicate that defective insulin‐mediated vasodilatation in obesity and NIDDM can be normalized by intravenous l‐arginine . Furthermore , l‐arginine  improves insulin sensitivity in obese patients and NIDDM patients as well as in healthy subjects , indicating a possible mechanism that is different from the restoration of insulin‐mediated vasodilatation
This meta- analysis concludes that l-arginine supplementation can significantly reduce blood TAG levels ; however , there is insufficient evidence to support its hypocholesterolaemic effects .
A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of l-arginine on lipid profile in recent years ; however , the results remain equivocal .
Therefore , the present study aims to summarise and quantitatively examine the available evidence on the effectiveness l-arginine supplementation on lipid parameters using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach .