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Arginine for Alzheimer’s? Looks promising
Arginine is an amino acid that helps the body build protein. It’s also referred to as L-arginine, and both terms are used interchangeably. The “L” prefix denotes its natural, biologically active form found in the human body.
It is also a precursor to nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that acts as a vasodilator, opening (or dilating) blood vessels to support blood flow.
That’s why it’s often associated with support for circulation and heart health, improving athletic performance (found in many pre- and post-workout supplements) and for problems with erectile function.
Now, researchers in Japan have found arginine may also have a significant effect on the brain that could pave the way for an Alzheimer’s treatment. Here’s what we know…
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Arginine: The beta amyloid-busting amino acid
Arginine has already been studied in cardiovascular applications such as angina, hypertension and peripheral artery disease. Those benefits include blood flow and arterial health.
But researchers at Kindai University in Japan conducted both laboratory and animal studies of arginine to determine its impact on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Initial in vitro experiments demonstrated that arginine slows the formation of Aβ42 aggregates.
To build on this evidence, the team tested oral arginine in two AD models: flies and mice. In both cases, arginine treatment led to a significant drop in Aβ buildup and reduced the harmful effects caused by Aβ exposure.
“Our study demonstrates that arginine can suppress Aβ aggregation both in vitro and in vivo,” says Yoshitaka Nagai, a professor at Kindai University in Osaka, Japan. “What makes this finding exciting is that arginine is already known to be clinically safe and inexpensive, making it a highly promising candidate for repositioning as a therapeutic option for AD.”
In the mouse model, arginine lowered amyloid plaque formation and reduced insoluble Aβ42 levels in the brain.
Mice receiving arginine also performed better in behavioral assessments and showed reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. These genes are linked to neuroinflammation, a key contributor to AD progression.
In other words, these results indicate that arginine may not only prevent Aβ buildup but also provide broader neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.
“Our findings open up new possibilities for developing arginine-based strategies for neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation,” Nagai says. “Given its excellent safety profile and low cost, arginine could be rapidly translated to clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and potentially other related disorders.”
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Not the first time a nitric oxide precursor showed promise
There’s reason to believe this research could lead to treatments. Because arginine is already approved for clinical use in Japan and shows good brain permeability, it may bypass multiple early hurdles that often slow traditional drug development.
And the connection to the mechanism of action is strong…
A previous study found that men who took erectile dysfunction drugs were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Those drugs, including the famous little blue pill, work by boosting the release of nitric oxide — which relaxes smooth muscle inside the penis — allowing for an increase in blood flow required for an erection.
That effect of the drug, however, is not limited to the penis. The increase in blood flow occurs throughout the body — including the brain.
Arginine is readily available in the U.S., where you’re more likely to see it listed as L-arginine on supplements. It’s important to note, however, that the amounts used in the study experiments were designed for research and don’t match commercially available products.
Though supplements may be preferred to meet arginine needs for specific purposes, like athletic performance or improved blood flow, arginine is also present in high-protein food sources, including:
- Meat (red meat, poultry)
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Fish (especially salmon and haddock)
- Nuts and seeds (especially almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds)
- Legumes (especially soybeans and chickpeas)
- Whole grains (especially brown rice and oats)
If you’re on medication for a heart condition, it’s always best to discuss with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your regimen.
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Sources:
Simple amino acid supplement greatly reduces Alzheimer’s damage — ScienceDaily
Oral administration of arginine suppresses Aβ pathology in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease — Neurochemistry International
Nitric Oxide release triggered by Viagra is key to heart protection, VCU research shows — VCU News
L-arginine — Mayo Clinic
L-arginine — Cleveland Clinic
By Carolyn Gretton
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