Alcohol Drinks Induce Acute Lowering in Circulating l-Arginine in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

• Published in: Journal of medicinal food Vol. 25; no. 6; p. 675
• Main Authors: Buch, Assaf, Ganz, Tali, Wainstein, Julio, Gilad, Suzan, Limor, Rona, Shefer, Gabi, Boaz, Mona, Stern, Naftali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2022
• Subjects: metabolic syndrome; diabetes mellitus; arginine; asymmetric dimethylarginine; obesity
• DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2021.0045

Since low serum -arginine (Arg) and high asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) can predict microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we tested whether Arg and ADMA are affected by diet and physical activity in overweight/obese and T2DM subjects. We tested the effects on serum Arg and ADMA of single loads of dextrose, protein, fat, or alcohol (∼300 calories each); one episode of physical exercise; and 12 weeks of standard lifestyle modification (dietary and physical activity counseling). Alcohol drink was followed by ∼30% lowering in Arg. Arg and ADMA increased after a protein load but remained stable after glucose or fat load or 30 min of treadmill walk. Following 12 weeks of lifestyle modification, ADMA declined only in subjects achieving weight loss >5%. In conclusion, alcohol is a previously unrecognized acute suppressor of serum Arg. Lifestyle modification lowers ADMA in subjects who achieve weight loss >5%. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04406402.