L-Arginine and B vitamins improve endothelial function in subjects with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this trial was to investigate the influence of a dietetic product consisting of a unique combination of L-arginine with the vitamins B6, folic acid and B12 (Telcor® Arginin plus) on endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS: Subjects aged 40-65 years with mild to moderate blood pressure (BP) elevation not treated with anti-hypertensive drugs were randomly assigned to either the dietetic product (n = 40) or a matching placebo (n = 41) for 3 months with open follow-up for a further 3 months. Postprandial change in endothelial function was assessed using the validated reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) at 3 months compared to the study onset (RHI post-pre, visit 3-visit 1; ΔΔRHI). Secondary parameters included BP and plasma homocysteine concentration.

RESULTS: The primary efficacy analysis revealed superiority of the nutritional intervention over placebo (p = 0.0349) in reducing the deterioration of endothelial function. While in the active group ΔΔRHI increased (0.371 ± 0.122), almost no change could be detected in the placebo group (0.031 ± 0.100), thus demonstrating a significant improvement in vascular function in the intervention group. Moreover, the intervention reduced BP and homocysteine levels. Non-serious adverse events were equally distributed in both groups, and none of the events were assessed as possibly intervention-related by the investigators.

CONCLUSIONS: This trial confirmed the effective and safe use of dietary management with L-arginine in combination with B vitamins. The primary efficacy analysis demonstrated a statistically significant superiority of the combination of L-arginine with B vitamins over placebo in improving and restoring impaired endothelial function and lowering BP in patients with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation.