Key result
Oral L-arginine supplementation lowers 24-hour systolic blood pressure by ~4 mmHg.
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Why the study?
The effect of oral l-arginine supplementation on ambulatory blood pressure had not been comprehensively evaluated through meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Does oral l-arginine supplementation reduce ambulatory blood pressure?
Meta-Analysis (n=202)
Does oral l-arginine supplementation reduce ambulatory blood pressure?
Mean Difference: -4.23 (95% CI -5.87–-2.58)
p-value: p=<0.01
Oral l-arginine supplementation significantly lowers 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime ambulatory blood pressure, suggesting potential utility as an adjunctive antihypertensive intervention.
OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of oral l-arginine supplementation on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted from their inception through March 1, 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of oral l-arginine intervention were included. Outcome measures included 24-h systolic blood pressure (24h SBP), 24-h diastolic blood pressure (24h DBP), daytime systolic blood pressure (dSBP), daytime diastolic blood pressure (dDBP), nighttime systolic blood pressure (nSBP), and nighttime diastolic blood pressure (nDBP). Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as the effect size, and the results were pooled with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 5 RCTs comprising 202 participants were included. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that oral l-arginine significantly reduced 24h SBP (WMD = -4.23 mmHg, 95% CI [-5.87, -2.58]; P < 0.01) and 24h DBP (WMD = -3.04 mmHg, 95% CI [-4.48, -1.59]; P < 0.01). Significant reductions were also observed for dSBP (WMD = -4.16 mmHg, 95% CI [-5.90, -2.41]; P < 0.01) and dDBP (WMD = -4.25 mmHg, 95% CI [-5.85, -2.66]; P < 0.01). Furthermore, oral l-arginine significantly lowered nSBP (WMD = -5.70 mmHg, 95% CI [-7.81, -3.58]; P < 0.01) and nDBP (WMD = -4.18 mmHg, 95% CI [-6.27, -2.09]; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Oral l-arginine supplementation significantly reduces ABP. However, the number of included studies was limited, and further validation through additional relevant research is warranted.
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Shi et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Hypertension/Blood pressure (n=202). Oral l-arginine supplementation vs. Control was evaluated on 24-h systolic blood pressure (24h SBP) (WMD -4.23, 95% CI -5.87, -2.58, p=<0.01). Oral l-arginine supplementation significantly reduced 24-h systolic blood pressure (WMD -4.23 mmHg; 95% CI -5.87 to -2.58; P<0.01) and 24-h diastolic blood pressure.
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