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. 2021 May 31;21(1):113.
doi: 10.1186/s12902-021-00774-x.

Habitual intake of dietary L-arginine in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study

Parvin Mirmiran  1 , Zahra Bahadoran  2 , Zahra Gaeini  1 , Fereidoun Azizi  3
Affiliations

Habitual intake of dietary L-arginine in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study

Parvin Mirmiran et al. BMC Endocr Disord. .

Abstract

Background: There are insufficient data in case of the potential association of habitual dietary L-arginine and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence. Here we aimed to examine the potential effect of dietary L-arginine on the T2DM incidence.

Methods: For this cohort study, 2139 T2DM-free adults from the participations of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were recruited. Follow up period was approximately 5.8 years. Daily intakes of protein and L-arginine were estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire with 168 food item. Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for sex, age, smoking, diabetes risk score, physical activity levels, and total energy intakes as well as carbohydrate, fiber, fats and lysine, were calculated for L-arginine as both absolute intake and its ratio from total protein.

Results: Mean (±SD) age of the participants was 38.9 (±12.6) years and 54.6% were women. Mean (±SD) intake of dietary protein and L-arginine was 77.2 (±22.4) and 4.05 (±1.50) g/d, respectively. An increased risk of T2DM (HR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.20-6.09) was observed among participants with higher intakes of L-arginine (median intake of > 5.4 vs. 2.69 g/d). Total protein intake and the ratio of L-arginine to total protein intakes were not related to incidence of T2DM in both crude and adjusted models.

Conclusion: We found that higher dietary L-arginine levels may increase risk of T2DM and it may have an independent role in T2DM development.

Keywords: Dietary protein; L-arginine; Type 2 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing of interests. Dr. Zahra Bahadoran is a member of the editorial board of BMC Endocrine Disorders.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The flowchart of the study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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