Effects of L-arginine supplementation on biomarkers of glycemic control: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised clinical trials

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.

Keywords:

• L-arginine
• glycemic control
• insulin resistance
• meta-analysis
• systematic review

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.

Additional information

Funding

The present study with code 198190 was supported by the Nutrition Research committee of School of Nutrition and Food Science Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.