Indicators of l-arginine metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors A cross-sectional study in healthy middle-aged men

This study examines the relationship between traditional risk factors of coronary artery disease and indicators involved in the metabolism of l-arginine (plasma and urine l-arginine, plasma l-citrulline, serum creatinine and urine orotic acid). Our study population consisted of 40 healthy male volunteers aged between 35 and 55 years. We found an inverse association between serum creatinine and blood pressure, between plasma l-citrulline and blood pressure, as well as between urine l-arginine and blood pressure. We also found a positive association between plasma LDL-cholesterol and urine l-arginine and a negative correlation between plasma l-arginine and LDL-cholesterol. Orotic acid measured from urine was not associated with any of the indicators of l-arginine metabolism. Our results indicate that l-arginine metabolism is of profound significance for cardiovascular health. However, our study does not answer questions relating to causality. Further studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, especially elevated blood pressure and high LDL-cholesterol, and indicators of l-arginine metabolism.