Effect of Combination of L-Arginine and L-Carnitine on Serum AGEs Level, Kidney and Endothelial Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure - Pages 77-83
 
Olexandr Kuryata, Oksana Sirenko and Abdunaser Zabida

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2018.07.03.2

Published: 16 August 2018

Abstract: The aim of the study to evaluate the effect of combination of L-Arginine with L-Carnitine on GFR, serum AGEs level and endothelial function in chronic heart failure (HF) patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Materials and Methods: 35 patients with mean age 60,1 [56,7; 77,3] years with an established diagnosis of HFpEF were enrolled. The patients were randomly and blindly divided into 2 groups: first (1st) group pts were treated with a combination of L-Carnitine and L-Arginine in addition to standard treatment; 2nd group pts – with L-Arginine in addition to conventional treatment. Standard laboratory blood tests, lipid profile, glucose, renal and liver function tests, serum advanced glycation end-product (AGEs) level, echocardiographic examination, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD%) were performed for all patients baseline and after 10 days of treatment. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the CKD-EPI formula.

Results: Median level of AGEs was 1.72 [1.34; 1.93] mg/ml. The level of AGEs was correlated with age (R = 0.71, p<0.05), disease duration (R = 0.69, p<0.05). After 10 days of treatment with a combination of L-Carnitine with L-Arginine mean AGEs was decreased by 13.1% in comparison with L-Arginine treatment group (p=0.0003). After the treatment in 1^st group mean AGEs was significantly lower in comparison with the 2^nd group (p=0.004). Baseline median level of GFR was 81.2 [72,1; 86,2] ml/min and correlated with disease duration (R = 0.71, p<0.05), AGEs level (R = -0.73, p<0.05). The inclusion combination of L-arginine aspartate with L-Carnitine contributed to the significant increase of GFR level (p=0.003). The median FMD% level was 6.2 [4.4; 7.9] % and correlated with age (R=-0.61, p < 0.05), GFR (R=0.54, p < 0.05). After the 10 days it had been established significant increasing of FMD% level on 47.9 % in 1^st group (p=0.0005), and on 29.3 % in 2^nd group (p=0.003). Endothelial function normalizing was achieved in 10 (66 %) pts of 1^st group and in 9 (45%) pts of 2^nd group (p=0.002).

Conclusion: The combination of L-Carnitine, and L-Arginine improves kidney, endothelial function and contributes to decreasing of AGEs level in pts with HFpEF.

Keywords: L-arginine, L-carnitine, kidney function, endothelial function, chronic heart failure.

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Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate Fruit Consumption in Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention - Pages 84-94
 
L. Benchagra, A. Hajjaji, M. Ramchoun, A. Khalil and H. Berrougui

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2018.07.03.3

Published: 16 August 2018

Abstract: Oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are key elements in the development of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress has been implicated as well in most of the key steps in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the consequential clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to the formation of atherosclerosis, oxidative stress acute thrombotic events, including dyslipidemia, the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and plaque rupture leading to atherothrombosis and myocardial infarction. In the last decades, multiple experimental studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that diet plays a central role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of nature’s most concentrated sources of antioxidants. It contains some very potent antioxidants (i.e. tannins, anthocyanins and flavonoids), which provide a wide spectrum of action against free radicals and are considered to be potent anti-atherogenic products. These properties make pomegranate a healthy fruit with a high potential in preventing cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we give an overview on the newest insights in the role of pomegranate in therapy of vascular diseases.

Keywords: Pomegranate, atherosclerosis, antioxidants, cardiovascular diseases, oxidation.

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