Effect of l ‐arginine on the microcirculation in the neuropathic diabetic foot in Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

Diabet. Med.AbstractObjective To investigate the effect of l‐arginine on endothelial function, transcutaneous oxygen and clinical neuropathy in patients with peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes.Research design and methods Thirty diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were randomized to receive l ‐arginine (3 g three times daily) or placebo (3 g three times daily) for 3 months. All patients had foot microcirculation and foot transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), neuropathy disability score (NDS) and vibration perception threshold (VPT) assessed at baseline and follow‐up.Results No difference was observed in endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilation, TcPO2, NDS and VPT.Conclusions l‐arginine has no effect on endothelial dysfunction, TcPO2 and clinical neuropathy.