Skip to main content

Oral l-Arginine Supplementation in Young Males: Endocrinology, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses at Rest and During Exercise

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Athletic endeavors push the limits of human performance and athletes often seek ergogenic aids to gain an edge. A nutritional ergogenic aid is defined as any nutrient capable of enhancing energy utilization, including energy production, control, and efficiency (Silver, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 9:61–70, 2001). A nutritional ergogenic aid sought commonly by athletes is protein (or amino acid) supplementation (Alvares et al., Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:115–126, 2012; Campbell et al., J Int Soc Sports Nutr 1:35–38, 2004; Chromiak and Antonio, Nutrition 18:657–661, 2002; Paddon-Jones et al., J Nutr 134:2888S–2894S, 2004; Shao and Hathcock, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 50:376–399, 2008). l-arginine is an amino acid that has been purported to be ergogenic and, as such, has become very popular in the food supplement industry (Alvares et al., Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:115–126, 2012; Campbell et al., J Int Soc Sports Nutr 1:35–38, 2004; Paddon-Jones et al., J Nutr 134:2888S–2894S, 2004; Shao and Hathcock, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 50:376–399, 2008; McConell, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 10:46–51, 2007; Kanaley, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 11:50–54, 2008). Recently, Maughan et al. (J Sports Sci 29:S57–66, 2011) noted l-arginine as an emerging and growing trend among athletes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Silver MD. Use of ergogenic aids by athletes. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2001;9(1):61–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Alvares TS, Conte CA, Paschoalin VM, et al. Acute l-arginine supplementation increases muscle blood volume but not strength performance. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012;37(1):115–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Campbell BI, La Bounty PM, Roberts M. The ergogenic potential of l-arginine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2004;1(2):35–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Chromiak JA, Antonio J. Use of amino acids as growth hormone-releasing agents by athletes. Nutrition. 2002;18(7–8):657–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Paddon-Jones D, Borsheim E, Wolfe RR. Potential ergogenic effects of l-arginine and creatine supplementation. J Nutr. 2004;134 Suppl 10:2888S–94S. discussion 2895S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Shao A, Hathcock JN. Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, L-glutamine and l-arginine. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008;50(3):376–99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McConell GK. Effects of l-arginine supplementation on exercise metabolism. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2007;10(1):46–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kanaley JA. Growth hormone, l-arginine and exercise. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2008;11(1):50–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Maughan RJ, Greenhaff PL, Hespel P. Dietary supplements for athletes: emerging trends and recurring themes. J Sports Sci. 2011;29 Suppl 1:S57–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hou Z, Peng H, Ayyanathan K, et al. The LIM protein AJUBA recruits protein l-arginine methyltransferase 5 to mediate SNAIL-dependent transcriptional repression. Mol Cell Biol. 2008;28(10):3198–207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. King DE, Mainous 3rd AG, Geesey ME. Variation in l-arginine intake follow demographics and lifestyle factors that may impact cardiovascular disease risk. Nutr Res. 2008;28(1):21–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Wu G, Bazer FW, Cudd TA, et al. Pharmacokinetics and safety of l-arginine supplementation in animals. J Nutr. 2007;137(6 Suppl 2):1673S–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wu G, Morris Jr SM. l-Arginine metabolism: nitric oxide and beyond. Biochem J. 1998;336(Pt 1):1–17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Daly JM, Reynolds J, Thom A, et al. Immune and metabolic effects of l-arginine in the surgical patient. Ann Surg. 1988;208(4):512–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Saito H, Trocki O, Wang SL, Gonce SJ, Joffe SN, Alexander JW. Metabolic and immune effects of dietary l-arginine supplementation after burn. Arch Surg. 1987;122(7):784–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ceremuzynski L, Chamiec T, Herbaczynska-Cedro K. Effect of supplemental oral l-arginine on exercise capacity in patients with stable angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol. 1997;80(3):331–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Luiking YC, Poeze M, Dejong CH, Ramsay G, Deutz NE. Sepsis: an l-arginine deficiency state? Crit Care Med. 2004;32(10):2135–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Witte MB, Barbul A. l-Arginine physiology and its implication for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2003;11(6):419–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bednarz B, Jaxa-Chamiec T, Gebalska J, Herbaczynska-Cedro K, Ceremuzynski L. l-arginine supplementation prolongs exercise capacity in congestive heart failure. Kardiol Pol. 2004;60(4):348–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Rector TS, Bank AJ, Mullen KA, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of supplemental oral l-arginine in patients with heart failure. Circulation. 1996;93(12):2135–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nagaya N, Uematsu M, Oya H, et al. Short-term oral administration of l-arginine improves hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;163(4):887–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Tangphao O, Chalon S, Moreno Jr H, Hoffman BB, Blaschke TF. Pharmacokinetics of l-arginine during chronic administration to patients with hypercholesterolaemia. Clin Sci (Lond). 1999;96(2):199–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Alvares TS, Conte-Junior CA, Silva JT, Paschoalin VM. l-arginine does not improve biochemical and hormonal response in trained runners after 4 weeks of supplementation. Nutr Res. 2014;34(1):31–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Buchman AL, O’Brien W, Ou CN, et al. The effect of l-arginine or glycine supplementation on gastrointestinal function, muscle injury, serum amino acid concentrations and performance during a marathon run. Int J Sports Med. 1999;20(5):315–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Santos RS, Pacheco MTT, Martins RABL, Villaverde AB, Giana HE, Baptista F, et al. Study of the effect of oral administration of l-arginine on muscular performance in healthy volunteers: an isokinetic study. Isokinet Exerc Sci. 2002;10:153–8.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Walberg-Rankin J, Hawkins CE, Fild DS, Sebolt DR. The effect of oral l-arginine during energy restriction in male weight trainers. J Strength Cond Res. 1994;8:170–7.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Liu TH, Wu CL, Chiang CW, Lo YW, Tseng HF, Chang CK. No effect of short-term l-arginine supplementation on nitric oxide production, metabolism and performance in intermittent exercise in athletes. J Nutr Biochem. 2009;20(6):462–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Suminski RR, Robertson RJ, Goss FL, et al. Acute effect of amino acid ingestion and resistance exercise on plasma growth hormone concentration in young men. Int J Sport Nutr. 1997;7(1):48–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Isidori A, Lo Monaco A, Cappa M. A study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acids. Curr Med Res Opin. 1981;7(7):475–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lambert LE, French JF, Whitten JP, Baron BM, McDonald IA. Characterization of cell selectivity of two novel inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis. Eur J Pharmacol. 1992;216(1):131–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Merimee TJ, Fineberg SE, Tyson JE. Fluctuations of human growth hormone secretion during menstrual cycle: response to l-arginine. Metabolism. 1969;18(7):606–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Tanaka K, Inoue S, Shiraki J, et al. Age-related decrease in plasma growth hormone: response to growth hormone-releasing hormone, l-arginine, and L-dopa in obesity. Metabolism. 1991;40(12):1257–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Collier SR, Casey DP, Kanaley JA. Growth hormone responses to varying doses of oral l-arginine. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2005;15(2):136–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Forbes SC, Bell GJ. The acute effects of a low and high dose of oral l-arginine supplementation in young active males at rest. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2011;36(3):405–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Campbell B, Roberts M, Kerksick C, et al. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of l-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in trained adult men. Nutrition. 2006;22(9):872–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Elam RP, Hardin DH, Sutton RA, Hagen L. Effects of l-arginine and ornithine on strength, lean body mass and urinary hydroxyproline in adult males. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1989;29(1):52–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Colombani PC, Bitzi R, Frey-Rindova P, et al. Chronic l-arginine aspartate supplementation in runners reduces total plasma amino acid level at rest and during a marathon run. Eur J Nutr. 1999;38(6):263–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Abel T, Knechtle B, Perret C, Eser P, von Arx P, Knecht H. Influence of chronic supplementation of l-arginine aspartate in endurance athletes on performance and substrate metabolism – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Int J Sports Med. 2005;26(5):344–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Buford BN, Koch AJ. Glycine-arginine-alpha-ketoisocaproic acid improves performance of repeated cycling sprints. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;36(4):583–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Stevens BR, Godfrey MD, Kaminski TW, Braith RW. High-intensity dynamic human muscle performance enhanced by a metabolic intervention. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(12):2102–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Little JP, Forbes SC, Candow DG, Cornish SM, Chilibeck PD. Creatine, l-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, amino acids, and medium-chain triglycerides and endurance and performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008;18(5):493–508.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Merimee TJ, Rabinowitz D, Riggs L, Burgess JA, Rimoin DL, McKusick VA. Plasma growth hormone after l-arginine infusion. Clinical experiences. N Engl J Med. 1967;276(8):434–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hembree WC, Ross GT. l-Arginine infusion and growth-hormone secretion. Lancet. 1969;1(7584):52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Forbes SC, Harber V, Bell GJ. Oral l-arginine prior to resistance exercise blunts growth hormone in strength trained males. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2013;24(2):236–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Gravholt CH, Schmitz O, Simonsen L, Bulow J, Christiansen JS, Moller N. Effects of a physiological GH pulse on interstitial glycerol in abdominal and femoral adipose tissue. Am J Physiol. 1999;277(5 Pt 1):E848–54.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Bailey SJ, Winyard PG, Vanhatalo A, et al. Acute l-arginine supplementation reduces the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise and enhances high-intensity exercise tolerance. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985). 2010;109(5):1394–403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Koppo K, Taes YE, Pottier A, Boone J, Bouckaert J, Derave W. Dietary l-arginine supplementation speeds pulmonary VO2 kinetics during cycle exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(8):1626–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Bailey SJ, Winyard PG, Vanhatalo A, et al. Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of low-intensity exercise and enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2009;107:1144–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Shen W, Lundborg M, Wang J, et al. Role of EDRF in the regulation of regional blood flow and vascular resistance at rest and during exercise in conscious dogs. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985). 1994;77(1):165–72.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Bode-Boger SM, Boger RH, Creutzig A, et al. l-arginine infusion decreases peripheral arterial resistance and inhibits platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. Clin Sci (Lond). 1994;87(3):303–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Apostol AT, Tayek JA. A decrease in glucose production is associated with an increase in plasma citrulline response to oral l-arginine in normal volunteers. Metabolism. 2003;52(11):1512–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Schellong SM, Boger RH, Burchert W, et al. Dose-related effect of intravenous l-arginine on muscular blood flow of the calf in patients with peripheral vascular disease: a H2 15O positron emission tomography study. Clin Sci (Lond). 1997;93(2):159–65.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. McConell GK, Huynh NN, Lee-Young RS, Canny BJ, Wadley GD. l-Arginine infusion increases glucose clearance during prolonged exercise in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;290(1):E60–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Schaefer A, Piquard F, Geny B, et al. l-arginine reduces exercise-induced increase in plasma lactate and ammonia. Int J Sports Med. 2002;23(6):403–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Wideman L, Weltman JY, Patrie JT, et al. Synergy of l-arginine and GHRP-2 stimulation of growth hormone in men and women: modulation by exercise. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000;279(4):R1467–77.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Vallance P, Collier J, Moncada S. Nitric oxide synthesised from l-arginine mediates endothelium dependent dilatation in human veins in vivo. Cardiovasc Res. 1989;23(12):1053–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Ohta F, Takagi T, Sato H, Ignarro LJ. Low-dose l-arginine administration increases microperfusion of hindlimb muscle without affecting blood pressure in rats. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2007;104(4):1407–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Bode-Boger SM, Muke J, Surdacki A, Brabant G, Boger RH, Frolich JC. Oral l-arginine improves endothelial function in healthy individuals older than 70 years. Vasc Med. 2003;8(2):77–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Creager MA, Gallagher SJ, Girerd XJ, Coleman SM, Dzau VJ, Cooke JP. l-arginine improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypercholesterolemic humans. J Clin Invest. 1992;90(4):1248–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Kubota T, Imaizumi T, Oyama J, Ando S, Takeshita A. l-arginine increases exercise-induced vasodilation of the forearm in patients with heart failure. Jpn Circ J. 1997;61(6):471–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Fahs CA, Heffernan KS, Fernhall B. Hemodynamic and vascular response to resistance exercise with l-arginine. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(4):773–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Collier SR, Collins E, Kanaley JA. Oral l-arginine attenuates the growth hormone response to resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985). 2006;101(3):848–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Kraemer WJ, Marchitelli L, Gordon SE, et al. Hormonal and growth factor responses to heavy resistance exercise protocols. J Appl Physiol (Bethesda, Md: 1985). 1990;69(4):1442–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Marcell TJ, Taaffe DR, Hawkins SA, et al. Oral l-arginine does not stimulate basal or augment exercise-induced GH secretion in either young or old adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1999;54(8):M395–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Bescos R, Gonzalez-Haro C, Pujol P, et al. Effects of dietary l-arginine intake on cardiorespiratory and metabolic adaptation in athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2009;19(4):355–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Linden KC, Wadley GD, Garnham AP, McConell GK. Effect of l-arginine infusion on glucose disposal during exercise in humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(9):1626–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Forbes SC, Harber V, Bell GJ. The acute effects of l-arginine on hormonal and metabolic responses during submaximal exercise in trained cyclists. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2013;23(4):369–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott C. Forbes PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Forbes, S.C. (2017). Oral l-Arginine Supplementation in Young Males: Endocrinology, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses at Rest and During Exercise. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Rajendram, R. (eds) L-Arginine in Clinical Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26009-9_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26009-9_23

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-26007-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-26009-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics