Background:Recently, the potential of L-arginine supplementation as a novel and effective strategy for weight loss and improving biochemical parameters in obese patients has been under consideration.Objectives:To evaluate the influence of 8-week oral L-arginine supplementation on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TS), subscapular skinfold (SS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), plasma fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with BMI values > 29.9 or visceral obesity (WC > 102 cm in men or > 88 cm in women).Patients and Methods:Ninety obese patients were included in a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to receive either L-arginine (3 or 6 g thrice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices, dietary intake, and blood pressure values were measured at the baseline and after the 8-week intervention.Results:Significant decreases in anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (SBP, DBP), FBS, HbA1c, LDL, MDA (P < 0.001), TG (P = 0.02), and TC (P = 0.002) and a significant increase in HDL (P < 0.001) were observed in the intervention group, compared to the control group. In the control group, no significant differences were found between the baseline and end-of-intervention measurements.Conclusions:In conclusion, oral L-Arginine supplementation appears to improve anthropometric parameters, blood pressure values, and some blood biochemical indices associated with cardiovascular disease prevention.

Body composition Improvement has numeral desired effect in controlling the risk of chronic disease, and several compounds are use as adjunct therapy for this purpose. We review the effect and mechanism caused by l-arginine in fat mass and muscle mass as body composition components.

Background: Atherosclerosis is one of the prevalent complications in diabetic patients. Increased free radical levels in diabetes activate stress-sensitive signaling pathway, resulting in this outcome. This study examines the effect of short-term supplementation of vitamin E on different biochemical markers in type 2 diabetic patients to prevent from atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind placebo controlled trial, 30 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly divided into two groups of study to receive vitamin E (400IU) or identical placebo capsules daily for 6 weeks. Serum level of lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP), pulse rate and blood pressure were measured in fasting and postprandial (after a fatty meal) states before and after six weeks of supplementation. Results: There was not any significant difference in fasting and postprandial lipid profile (Triglyceride, HDL-, LDL- and total Cholesterol), glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR after six weeks of intervention between the two groups. However, results of our study showed a significant decrease in fasting and postprandial MDA levels and postprandial pulse rate and a significant increase in fasting IL-6 in vitamin E group compared to the controls after supplementation. There were no significant differences between the groups in other markers. Conclusion: This study suggests that short term supplementation of vitamin E can reduce oxidative stress in fasting and postprandial states in type 2 diabetic patients and may prevent diabetic complications; in addition, increment of IL-6 after supplementation may play a role in attenuating Type 2 diabetes by anti-inflammatory effects.[GMJ. 2015;4(3):67-74]

Background: Appetite is one of the main obesity-controlling factors that can be influenced by hormones, including leptin and ghrelin. This study aimed to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on the serum levels of leptin, ghrelin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and anthropometrical indices in obese individuals with increased appetite and zinc deficiency. Methods: This study was conducted among 50 individuals with body mass index > 30 kg/m2 in Shiraz, Iran in 2018. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention that consumed one capsule containing 30 mg/day zinc (ZG) and placebo group (PG) for 3 months. Moreover, all participants were prescribed calorie-restricted diet, 500 kcal/d less than their weight maintenance requirement energy. Anthropometric indices, dietary intake, serum zinc leptin, ghrelin, and CRP were measured at the baseline and after the intervention. Results: The ccomparison of mean changes in weight (-4.56 ± 2.47, P < 0.0001), body mass index (-1.65 ± 0.85, P < 0.0001), waist circumference (-5.54 ± 4.06, P < 0.0001), hip circumference (-3.19 ±1.91, P < 0.0001), and serum zinc (15.91 ± 5.24, P < 0.0001) showed a significant difference between groups with greater reduction in the zinc group. However, waist to hip ratio, ghrelin, and CRP showed no significant differences. A significant difference was revealed between groups in terms of the mean leptin concentration changes, in favor of the increase in leptin concentration in ZG (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Based on the findings, three months of zinc supplementation improved some anthropometric and biochemical measures. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.