Effect of L-arginine dietary supplementation on salivary urea concentration and pH in physically active individuals

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: L Vuletic
• Author: S Spalj
• Author: D Rogic
• Author: L Ruzic
• Author: I Alajbeg
• Author's institution: (Zagreb University Hispital Center)
• Author's institution: University of Rijeka; (Faculty of Dental Medicine)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Dental Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Dental Medicine

Abstract (english)

Background The aim of this study was to assess if the consumption of 3 g of a commercially available L-arginine dietary supplement causes a postabsorptive rise in urea concentration or pH of unstimulated saliva in a group of physically active individuals. Methods Salivary urea and pH were determined for 117 participants in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study. Samples were collected by 'spitting' method in fasting conditions. One hour prior to their second visit, participants consumed three tablets of L-arginine or placebo. Results Urea concentration was significantly lower at second measurement for both the study and control group. The magnitude of the change was not significant between the groups. pH was higher for both groups at second measurement, but only significant for the study group. The magnitude of the change was significant between the groups. Participants who intermittently ingested protein dietary supplements and those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 25 had significantly higher basal urea concentration. Conclusions The results of this study did not confirm the hypothesis. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of different doses of L-arginine supplements on the biochemical composition of saliva and the influence of their long-term consumption on the risk of developing dental diseases.

• Keywords (english): L-arginine; oral health promotion; salivary pH; salivary urea; unstimulated saliva
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Australian Dental Journal
• Numbering: vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 491-497
• p-ISSN: 0045-0421
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12114
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:127:662435
• Publication: 2013-12
• Document URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/adj.12114
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-10-30 11:27:52