Effect of Oral Supplementation of L-arginine on Sexual Function in Men with Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-blind Clinical Trial

Background: Sexual dysfunction is an important health problem whichprevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is higher than other people.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine oralsupplementation on sexual function in men with T2D and mild-to-moderateerectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Eighty men with T2D, suffering from mildto-moderate erectile dysfunction participated in this double-blind clinical trial.They were randomly assigned in to two groups; receiving 5 g/day L-arginine(AG) or placebo group (PG) for 4 weeks. Sexual functions were recorded withinternational index of erectile function questionnaire at the beginning and endof the intervention. Total testosterone concentrations were measured too.Results: The total mean score of sexual function parameters significantlyincreased only in AG than PG (43.2 ± 6.2 vs. 39.4 ± 4.0, P = 0.003). Against PG,the mean of all parameters significantly improved in AG after intervention. Onlythe mean score of erectile function in AG had a significant increase compared toPG. Mean of other sexual activity scores between the two groups had nosignificant differences. The mean of testosterone concentration had a significantincrease in both groups after the intervention, but the mean of changes wassignificantly higher in AG than in PG (1.91 μg/L vs. 0.53 μg/L, P = 0.004).Conclusions: The present trial showed that daily consumption of 5 g L-argininefor four weeks in T2D men with mild-to-moderate sexual dysfunction improvedvarious parameters such as erectile function, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire,pleasure from sexual intercourse, and testosterone level.

کلیدواژه ها:

Arginine supplementation ، Diabetes mellitus ، Erectile dysfunction ، Sexual dysfunction ، Testosterone