| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 2 | Page : 131-134 |
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L-arginine improves vascular function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Hima Bindu Gujjarlamudi1, Liza Rajasekhar2, MUR Naidu3
1 Department of Pharmacology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India
2 Department of Rheumatology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
3 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Correspondence Address:
Hima Bindu Gujjarlamudi
Department of Pharmacology, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2231-0738.112838
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Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory disorder, experiencing an excess of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Arterial stiffness (AS) and Endothelial dysfunction are key events in the initiation, progression, and rupture of atheromatous plaque. L-arginine corrects derangements in the vascular endothelial nitric oxide dependent signaling pathway. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of L-Arginine on AS and endothelial function in patients with SLE. Materials and Methods: Twenty-Five (22F, 3M) SLE patients, demographic data, associated risk factors, disease activity, and treatment regimen were collected. Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and Reflection index (RI) was determined non-invasively by PeriScope and Autodicrowin, respectively. PWV reflects large artery stiffness, whereas RI represents small artery tone. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo or L-arginine (3 g t.i.d) for 2 weeks. Paired Student 't' Test and percentage change was used for statistical comparison. Results: L-arginine treatment improved Carotid femoral PWV (P < 0.002) and excellent improvement in change in RI (P < 0.0001). There was significant change in hemodynamic parameters. In placebo group, neither there was statistical change in carotid femoral PWV nor change in RI. Conclusion: L-arginine supplementation has been shown to restore vascular function and to improve the clinical symptoms in SLE patients with vascular dysfunction. |
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