The Efficacy of L-arginine in Preventing Early Morning Endothelial Dysfunction

Acute cardiac and vascular events, including sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stroke manifest a clear surge in the early morning hours around the time of waking, so that their peak onset is between 6 AM and 11AM. The mechanisms for this morning increase in acute cardiovascular events are not fully understood. Factors such as arousal from sleep, increased sympathetic drive, increased vasoconstrictor sensitivity and impaired endothelial function have been implicated. We recently described the occurrence of early morning endothelial dysfunction, with blunted flow-mediated arterial dilatation in the early hours after waking. Our preliminary data suggest that this early morning endothelial dysfunction is likely due to an increased plasma levels of L-arginine endogenous inhibitor, ADMA and reducted plasma L-arginine levels, with consequent reduced availability of NO in the morning. The early morning fall in NOx levels can be potentiated by fasting and attenuated by a low-nitrate, protein rich breakfast. Because the production of NO depends in part on the availability of L-arginine, methods to maintain an adequate level of plasma L-arginine in the early morning are needed. We propose to assess the efficacy of high doses of L-arginine in preventing early morning endothelial dysfunction. The primary aim is to examine the effects of high doses of L-arginine on morning changes in nitric oxide and endothelial function. Our hypotheses are: 1. That L-arginine administered orally prior to sleep will prevent the early morning decline in plasma levels of L-arginine and nitric oxide; 2. That L-arginine administered prior to sleep will attenuate or prevent the early morning decline in endothelial function; and 3. That the effects of L-arginine, taken prior to sleep, on plasma levels of L-arginine and nitric oxide and on endothelial function will be more marked with 15 grams of L-arginine versus 5 grams of L-arginine or placebo, indicative of a dose response effect. Our secondary aim is to identify the short-term tolerability and safety of two different doses of L-arginine. Our hypothesis is that subjects taking high doses of L-arginine (15 grams) will not have significant symptoms or adverse changes in vital signs.