Long-term high-dose L-arginine supplementation in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Abstract
Purpose: The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial addressed the effects on penile erectile function of relatively high daily oral doses (6 g/day) of L-ARG for 3 months (N = 51) compared to placebo (N = 47), in patients with vasculogenic ED, with comparison between mild-moderate and severe vasculogenic ED.
Methods: The outcome measures included IIEF-6 score and cavernous arteries peak systolic flow velocity (PSV) at dynamic penile duplex ultrasonography (PDU).
Results: L-ARG supplementation for 3 months significantly increased IIEF-6 score in the overall cohort (p < 0.0001) and in subgroups of patients with mild-moderate (p < 0.0001) and severe (p = 0.007) vasculogenic ED; PSV was significantly increased in the overall cohort (p < 0.0001) and in patients with mild-moderate (p < 0.0001), but not severe vasculogenic ED. At study completion, 74% of patients improved ED degree category, although only 24% of patients, mainly belonging to the baseline category of mild ED, reached IIEF-6 scores compatible with absence of ED; moreover, 20% of patients, exclusively belonging to the baseline category of mild-moderate vasculogenic ED, reached PSV values compatible with absence of ED.
Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated that supplementation with relatively high doses of L-ARG as a single compound for 3 months significantly improved penile erectile function, assessed by both IIEF-6 score and PSV at dynamic PDU in patients with…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 51 participants or records.
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