How does arginine work?

    Last Updated: January 19, 2024

    Nitric oxide is a key molecule involved in vasodilation (the relaxation and widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow to tissues that lack oxygen or nutrients).[1][2] The beneficial effects of arginine on high blood pressure[3][4][5] and erectile dysfunction[6][7] are likely related to vasodilation because arginine increases nitric oxide synthesis.[1][2][8]

    A similar mechanism may explain how arginine might increase VO2max.[9][10][11] Additionally, nitric oxide might have direct effects on muscle contractile function.[9][12] Furthermore, arginine’s role in the urea cycle helps with the excretion of ammonia[13], the accumulation of which might induce fatigue during exercise.[14][15][16]

    References

    1. ^Böger RH, Bode-Böger SMThe clinical pharmacology of L-arginine.Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol.(2001)
    2. ^Luiking YC, Ten Have GA, Wolfe RR, Deutz NEArginine de novo and nitric oxide production in disease states.Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.(2012-Nov-15)
    3. ^Shiraseb F, Asbaghi O, Bagheri R, Wong A, Figueroa A, Mirzaei KEffect of l-Arginine Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.Adv Nutr.(2022-Aug-01)
    4. ^Dorniak-Wall T, Grivell RM, Dekker GA, Hague W, Dodd JMThe role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.J Hum Hypertens.(2014-Apr)
    5. ^Gui S, Jia J, Niu X, Bai Y, Zou H, Deng J, Zhou RArginine supplementation for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy: a systematic review.J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst.(2014-Mar)
    6. ^Hye Chang Rhim, Min Seo Kim, Young-Jin Park, Woo Suk Choi, Hyoung Keun Park, Hyeong Gon Kim, Aram Kim, Sung Hyun PaickThe Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systemic Review and Meta-AnalysisJ Sex Med.(2019 Feb)
    7. ^Xu Z, Liu C, Liu S, Zhou ZComparison of efficacy and safety of daily oral L-arginine and PDE5Is alone or combination in treating erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Andrologia.(2021-May)
    8. ^Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco VArginine and Endothelial Function.Biomedicines.(2020-Aug-06)
    9. ^J S Stamler, G MeissnerPhysiology of nitric oxide in skeletal musclePhysiol Rev.(2001 Jan)
    10. ^Tschakovsky ME, Joyner MJNitric oxide and muscle blood flow in exercise.Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.(2008-Feb)
    11. ^Rezaei S, Gholamalizadeh M, Tabrizi R, Nowrouzi-Sohrabi P, Rastgoo S, Doaei SThe effect of L-arginine supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Physiol Rep.(2021-Feb)
    12. ^Kumar R, Coggan AR, Ferreira LFNitric oxide and skeletal muscle contractile function.Nitric Oxide.(2022-May-01)
    13. ^Wu G, Morris SMArginine metabolism: nitric oxide and beyond.Biochem J.(1998-Nov-15)
    14. ^Mutch BJ, Banister EWAmmonia metabolism in exercise and fatigue: a reviewMed Sci Sports Exerc.(1983)
    15. ^Graham TE, MacLean DAAmmonia and amino acid metabolism in human skeletal muscle during exercise.Can J Physiol Pharmacol.(1992-Jan)
    16. ^Wilkinson DJ, Smeeton NJ, Watt PWAmmonia metabolism, the brain and fatigue; revisiting the link.Prog Neurobiol.(2010-Jul)