The Use of L-arginine to Mitigate the Cardiovascular Effects of Exposure to Traffic-related Air Pollution

The present study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of L-arginine (L-Arg, a precursor of nitric oxide in human body) supplement to counteract the acute cardiovascular effects of exposure to traffic-related air pollution among a group of non-smoking adults with elevated blood pressure. A large number of epidemiological studies have provided compelling evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution contributes to the increases in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the mechanism of action includes vasoconstriction and cardiac ischemia. It is well known that nutritional factors are very important determinants of cardiovascular health. However, few studies have explored the joint effects of air pollution and nutritional factors on cardiovascular health. Existing data from many laboratory studies and small clinical trials suggest that L-Arg has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and protecting myocardiocytes against external stimuli. The study will explore whether L-Arg supplement improves blood pressure levels and prevents potential cardiac ischemia upon acute exposure to traffic-related air pollution among high-risk individuals.

Dietary intakes, lifestyle habits, use of medication/dietary supplements, blood pressure, resting electrocardiogram and plasma parameters were assessed for potential eligible participants at screening visits. Over 500 participants completed the screening visits, and 118 of them were eligible after a 5-day L-Arg-free run-in period and willing to participate in the following intervention. Eligible participants were assigned to either the interventional group or control group using a computerized method with a randomized block design. They received 2 weeks (may float back and forth for 1-3 days due to scheduling issues) daily doses of either L-Arg (9g/day in 3 times) or placebo and undergo a 2-h exposure scenario (0900-1100 hours) of walking along a traffic road on the 14th day. Participants were counseled to maintain an isocaloric diet and to abstain from other L-Arg rich foods during the study. Concentrations of major traffic-related air pollutants, including particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon, and nitrogen dioxide, were measured from the beginning of the 2-h exposure scenario to 22h after exposure or during the 2-h exposure scenario, and primary and secondary outcome measures including blood pressure, ST-segment depression and plasma parameters were assessed repeatedly at various time points (depending on the parameters) around the 2-h exposure scenario. Other environmental factors, including noise, temperature and relative humidity, were also recorded during the 2-h exposure scenario and up to 22h after exposure.

Inclusion criteria

• Having elevated systolic blood pressure between 120-160 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure between 65-100 mmHg, either with or without routine antihypertensive medications.
• Adults between 50 and 75 years of age, current non-smokers;
• Do not take routine vasoactive dietary supplements.

Exclusion criteria

• Hypertension with SBP>160 mmHg or DBP>100 mmHg, clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (excluding hypertension), or other important chronic diseases such as coagulopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, cancer or mental diseases;
• No routine use of vasoactive dietary supplements,or, if taking, willing to forego their use during the trial.
• Fasting LDL cholesterol≥4.92 mmol/L or total cholesterol≥6.21 mmol/L or HbA1c>9%;
• Liver or renal dysfunction;
• Acute coronary symptoms or unstable clinical manifestations within the past three months;
• Suffering from allergic diseases/known allergy to ingredients of L-Arg; or those who suffered from acute illness before start of the study;
• Alcohol or drug addiction;
• Hepatitis B / hepatitis C virus patient / carrier;
• History of organ transplants or major surgery in the past year;
• Exposed to occupational sources of air pollution;
• Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent or cooperate with all research related procedures.