Amino Acid Important for Diabetics

By VRP Staff

A recently published study examined the potential benefits of supplementation with a particular amino acid in an experimental diabetic model. Diabetes affects nearly 8 percent of Americans, with 1.6 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year in people aged 20 years and older.

In this new study, researchers examined the effect of the amino acid L-arginine on the physiological changes in the digestive tract associated with diabetes. Rats were treated with alloxan for 8 weeks to induce oxidative stress and free radical damage, which is characteristic of diabetes. Some of the rats were also treated with L-arginine.

The results showed that the alloxan treatment induced elevated blood sugar levels, decreased levels of the antioxidant glutathione, reduced activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and significantly elevated levels of malonyldialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress. Supplementation with L-arginine significantly ameliorated the changes in oxidative stress in the rats. More specifically, malonyldialdehyde levels were reduced and levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased. Additionally, L-arginine protected the mice against elevations in blood sugar levels related to the oxidative stress.

The study authors concluded, “Thus, exogenously administered L-arginine might improve the clinical manifestation of diabetes mellitus and decrease the oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the study supports the beneficial effects of L-arginine.”

Reference:

Kochar NI, Umathe SN. Beneficial effects of L-arginine against diabetes-induced oxidative stress in gastrointestinal tissues in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 2009 Jul-Aug;61(4):665-72.