ARS | Publication request: Arginine supplementation improves insulin resistance in obese adolescents

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 3, 2009
Publication Date: May 1, 2009
Citation: Verbruggen, S., Coss-Bu, J., Hsu, J.W-C., Joosten, K., Van Goudoever, J., Castillo, L. 2009. Arginine supplementation improves insulin resistance in obese adolescents [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 23:914.7.

Technical Abstract: Arginine through a NO mediated mechanism improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. To assess the effect of a short-term (1 week) dietary arginine supplementation on insulin resistance in glucose intolerant obese adolescents, we conducted a randomized, cross-over study in 12 subjects (16 +/- 1 yr.;BMI 36 =/- 5 kg/m2) receiving a 1-week diet period of a weight maintaining protein and energy intake, or an isocaloric arginine supplemented (21 gram/day) isonitrogenous diet. At the end of each diet period they received a primed, constant, 7-hr tracer infusion of [1-13C]Glucose, L-[2H3]Leucine and [2H5]Glycerol. During the last 3 hours a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC; 40 mU.m-2.min-1 insulin) was conducted. Arginine supplementation improved (p<0.05)insulin sensitivity from 0.3 +/- 0.2 to. 0.4 +/-0.2 micro mol.kg-1 .min-1/U/mL. There was a trend towards improvement of non-oxidative glucose disposal (3.5 +/- 3 vs. 4.5 +/- 2 mg.kg-1.min-1; p=0.06). However, there was no effect on endogenous glucose production (-1.0 +/- 1 vs. -1.0 +/- 2 mg.kg-1.min-1; p=0.99). Arginine had no effect on protein breakdown or lipolysis. A 1-week oral arginine supplementation (21 gr/day) in obese adolescents improves insulin resistance.