Hi amunus!
THe short answer to your question is "yes" as I will describe. It is
known that when L-arginine is present in the blood, it contributes to
the process of increased blood flow via vascular dilation. I have
outlined some information describing this process, as well as the fact
that, yes, L-arginine can be administered in a topical gel form and
have the same effect. I will begin with some background about nitric
oxide’s relation to L-arginine.
“Nitric oxide (NO), is a free radical gas that is a powerful regulator
of circulation (it is an endogenous vasodilator) and a
neurotransmitter (it helps in the processing of nerve signals as they
cross synapses). L-arginine, one of 20 amino acids that make up
proteins, is the only amino acid that generates significant amounts of
NO.”
[ http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:8ZnInkB6vScJ:www.diabetesincontrol.com/burkearchive/summary.pdf+L-arginine+%22nitric+oxide%22+veins&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
]
“Nitric oxide released from vascular endothelium causes relaxation of
the underlying smooth muscle. Inaddition, it inhibits adhesion of
platelets and white cells to the endothelium and in experimental
models it protects against atherogenesis.”
[http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicine/clinical-pharmaco/research/ ]
So, the presence of L-arginine generates Nitric Oxide which in turn
dilates blood vessels, and this has been demonstrated in clinical
studies in which L-arginine is administered intravenously. As for if
the results of topical administration of L-arginine, this too has been
demonstrated and, in fact, been utilized to create a number of health
products. These first two quotes and links are about studies on this
topic:
“A study reported today…..shows that the use of a new foot cream
containing a patented transdermal L-Arginine preparation improves the
health of the feet of diabetics suffering from the reduction of
circulation. …. In the study presented today at the Symposium on the
Diabetic Foot Drs. Eric T. Fossel and Steven A. Shaya report that use
of the transdermal L-Arginine cream significantly improved both
temperature and blood flow in the feet of the diabetic subjects they
studies. Temperature increased 5 degrees F at the metatarsal and 8
degrees F at the big toe. Flow increased 33% at the metatarsal and 35%
at the achilles.”
[ http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/default.cfm?Action=ReleaseDetail&ID=4281
]
The following study was conducted on a rat model, but the effects
should be the same.
“Topical L-arginine (10-3 mol/L for 30 minutes) ….. enhanced
vasodilatation in response to acetylcholine (10-5 mol/L) in older
SHRSP without affecting responses to sodium nitroprusside. ….. These
results suggest that impaired dilatation of the basilar artery in
response to acetylcholine in older SHRSP is restored toward normal by
L-arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase.”
[ http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/27/4/893 ]
Please take a look at:
[ http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=780 ]
as it has some very good information about the ways that L-arginine
can be used as a supplement.
One of the best examples of how topical L-arginine in gel form can be
used to increase vascular expansion is in products designed to enhance
sexual stimulation and blood flow.
“Besides helping to control hypertension, arginine can also give a
boost to one's sex life. Nitric oxide produced from arginine increases
blood flow to the penis in men and to the clitoris in women. Because
of this, men who take arginine often have stronger, firmer erections,
while women can gain increased clitoral sensitivity. When you put
these two together (so to speak), you can see why almost all major
sexual supplements on the market today contain a hefty dose of
arginine.”
[ http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=780 ]
I hope these examples and information have sufficiently answered your
question. If you have any further questions about this, please
request an answer clarification, especially before rating this answer.
Thank you for bringing your question to Google Answers.
Sincerely,
Andrewxmp
Search terms used:
L-arginine "nitric oxide"
topical L-arginine
L-arginine gel vascular |
