Effect of add-on L-arginine on blood pressure in hypertensive patients on antihypertensive treatment

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is rapidly increasing among both rural and urban populations and is a matter of concern in India. L-Arginine serves as a principle substrate for nitric oxide production which is a potent vasodilator. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effects of oral L-arginine on blood pressure in hypertensive patients on antihypertensive drugs. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial, registration in Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) Registration number: CTRI/2019/03/018026. All patients with hypertension visiting the medicine outpatient department of Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, were included in the study. Study participants were randomized into intervention group (I group) and control group (C group). The I group includes 74 participants and the C group includes 75 participants. The I group received antihypertensive therapy along with add-on L-arginine oral supplementation for 14 days. The C group received only standard antihypertensive therapy and had followed up similar to that of the participants of the I group. Results: The baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the I group and C group was statistically non-significant as analyzed by unpaired t-test, whereas in the I group, there was a significant decrease in SBP and DBP on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd follow-up visits compared to the C group (Friedman test). Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that add-on L-arginine supplementation at a dose of 3 g/d (L-arginine 5 g sachet) for 2 weeks in patients of hypertension resulted in significant decrease in the SBP and DBP.