Abstract
The present meta‐analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of L-arginine supplementation in improving biomarkers of glycemic control in adults. Electronic databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration Library were searched up to January 2020. The meta-analysis of twelve randomised clinical trials indicated that L-arginine had no significant effect on serum fasting blood sugar (FBS) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −3.38 mg/dl, 95% CI: −6.79 to 0.04, p = .53), serum insulin (WMD: −0.12 Hedges' g 95% CI: −0.33 to 0.09, p = .27), glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; WMD: −0.04%, 95% CI: −0.25 to 0.17, p = .71), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (WMD: −0.48, 95% CI: −1.15 to 0.19, p = .15). Although several animal studies have proposed that L-arginine supplementation might improve blood glucose control, the present study could not confirm this benefit in humans.
Author contributions
E. K and A. Gh wrote the concept, design, and carried out drafting of this study. E.K and performed searches of the electronic databases, screened the articles and extracted the data. Gh. A performed the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. All authors critically revised the manuscript. A.H. performed a final revision and of proofread the article. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript. E.K and Gh.A is the guarantors of this study.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Data availability statement
Data sharing is applicable.