Effects of Chronic Supplementation of L-Arginine on Physical Fitness in Water Polo Players

• Published in: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity 2021, Vol.2021 (1), p.6684568-6684568
• Main Authors: Gambardella, Jessica, Fiordelisi, Antonella, Spigno, Luca, Boldrini, Lorenzo, Lungonelli, Giulia, Di Vaia, Eugenio, Santulli, Gaetano, Sorriento, Daniela, Cerasuolo, Federica Andrea, Trimarco, Valentina, Iaccarino, Guido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arginine - pharmacology; Biosynthesis; Body mass index; Cytochrome; Dietary Supplements; Exercise; Fibroblasts; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Male; Metabolism; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - metabolism; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Organelle Biogenesis; Physical fitness; Physical Fitness - physiology; Respiration; Statistical analysis; Thermal cycling; Water polo; Water Sports
• ISSN: 1942-0900; 1942-0994
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/6684568

Background. Ergogenic nutritional supplementation is sought by professional athletes for improving physical performance; nevertheless, scientific evidence to support the chronic use of L-Arginine among water polo players is missing. Methods. Seventeen male professional water polo players were randomly assigned to assume 5 grams per day of L-Arginine (n=9) or placebo (n=8) for 4 weeks. The players’ fitness level was assessed in the maximal speed swimming test. Ear lobe blood samples taken before and after the effort for serum lactate content were analyzed. A speed-to-lactate ratio was generated at the baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. We also tested the effects of L-Arginine in vitro, measuring NO production, mitochondrial respiration, and gene expression in human fibroblasts. Results. L-Arginine did not modify BMI, muscle strength, and maximal speed at 200 meters after 4 weeks. However, L-Arginine ameliorated oxidative metabolism to exercise as suggested by the statistically significant lower lactate-to-speed ratio, which was not observed in placebo-treated controls. In vitro, L-Arginine induced the expression of a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α) and genes encoding for complex I and increased the production of nitric oxide and the maximal oxygen consumption rate. Conclusions. Chronic L-Arginine is safe and effective in ameliorating the oxidative metabolism of professional water polo players, through a mechanism of enhanced mitochondrial function.