Health And Fitness | Vinpocetine Supplements :: By G Kharchenko ...

Vinpocetine is a derivative of the alkaloid vincarnine (extracted from vinca minor) and is used in many countries in the treatment and prevention of stroke and vascular dementia. Although no single mechanism of action has been agreed on for vinpocetine, many activities are known to stem from its use, such as dilating blood vessels, enhancing circulation to the brain, improving oxygen utilization and reducing blood clotting, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Vinpocetine works on altering the ischemic cascade in several areas, including depletion of adenosine tri-phosphate, activation of voltage-sensitive sodium and calcium channels, and release of glutamate and free radicals. The most important of these effects to neuroprotective activity of vinpocetine seems to be the interference of voltage-sensitive sodium channels and possibly its strong antiox-idant activity (I ladjiev, 2003).

One main Hungarian company markets vinpocetine in Europe as a drug (Cavinton) for improving several types of cerebral insufficiency conditions and for improving cerebral metabolism. In studies involving vinpocetine's use in chronic stroke patients, positron emission tomography scans showed that it improves the brain metabolism and blood flow, especially around stroke-damaged areas (Gulyas et al., 2002; Szakall et al., 3998; Vaset al., 2002).

There seems to be a good amount of preclinical science and little clinical science to back vinpocetine's use in cerebrovascular disorders. With its low toxicity and side effects, however, it shows excellent potential for the future in preventing and treating stroke. Its effects on memory in healthy people have some merit but need more clinical backing.

Cardiovascular Health

A meta-analysis of the use of L-arginine in oral diets of stressed patients was conducted to help determine whether the diets were immune enhancing and beneficial. Although the review found the L-arginine "immune-enhancing" diets to be beneficial, the author contended that nothing proved that this effect was not confounded by other bioaclive components, including o>-3 fatty acicls, RNAs, and antioxidant vitamins. The author also pointed out that the L-arginine-supplemented in oral diets could have a harmful effect in unstable patients, and in patients with multiple organ failure (Cynober, 2003).

A medical food called the Heart liar is now sold that looks just like the numerous other sports and protein bars. The Heart Bar is intended to nutritionally support cardiovascular health, with its major active constituent being arginine. Its use is substantiated by numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies, and it is regulated specially as a "medical food" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 36 stable angina outpatients were tested for the vascular, and clinical effects of the Heart Bar. This medical food was found to improve vascular function, exercise capacity, and aspects of quality of life in patients with stable angina (Maxwell et al., 2002).

L-arginine was clinically studied in a single-blind, controlled, crossover, dietary intervention study for its effect on certain cardiovascular parameters, especially blood pressure. Six subjects were given isocaloric diets for one week, with constant measures of sodium in each diet (approximately 180 mmol/day). Rach participant received three diets in random order: (1) control, (2) L-arginine enriched by natural foods, and (3) L-arginine given orally to supplement the control diet. Both arginine-rich diets (2 and 3) resulted in a blood pressure decrease. Diet 2 resulted in lower total serum cholesterol and uiglyceride levels and higher high-density lipoprotein (I IDL) cholesterol. Diet 3, and to a lesser extent diet 2, resulted in higher creatine clearance (slight) and a fall in fasting glucose. The authors concluded that increasing L-arginine in the diet lowers blood pressure and affects kidney function and carbohydrate metabolism (Siani et al., 2000).

Rijita et al. (2000) clinically tested the ability of L-arginine to affect coronary perfusion abnormality during exercise. Twelve patients with angina pectoris and normal coronary arteries underwent exercise, either with intravenous L-arginine or without (control). The administration of L-arginine was found to prolong exercise time and improve the severity score. In 7 of the 12 patients, the TI-201 redistribution disappeared after L-arginine administration, and the percentage of serum L-citrulline and the percentage of epicardial coronary diameter increased in response to acetylcholine more than in the other patients who did not show a change in TI-201 redistribution. The authors concluded that exogenous L-arginine was able to improve myocardial perfusion during exercise in this subset of patients.

High Blood Pressure

To determine whether a deficient nitric oxide system is active in cortisol induced hypertension, the effect of L-arginine uptake was studied. Eight healthy men were given hydrocortisone acetate (50 mg) orally every 6 hours for 24 hours after a 5-day fixed-salt diet. L-arginine levels appeared unaffected by cortisol treatment; therefore, no correlation was found between cortisol induced hypertension and the L-arginine transport system (Chin-Dusting et al., 2003).

Immune Function

L-arginine was clinically tested in patients with advanced gastric cancer for its ability to stimulate lymphocyte production, because it had been shown to stimulate lymphocyte production in healthy persons. The patients received a dietary supplement of L-arginine (30 g/day for 7 days), and the lymphocyte counts and T-cell:B-cell ratio in the peripheral blood were tested. Although L-arginine did not show any significant side effects (except transient nausea in one patient) or impair liver function, it also did not stimulate lymphocyte function. The authors suggested that the immune systems of the cancer patients may have been intrinsically defective and therefore not able to be stimulated (Wu et al., 1993).

Liet al. (1993) tested the ability of L-arginine to decrease the incidence of sepsis after surgery in patients with obstructive jaundice. Since arginine had been known as a T-lymphocyte stimulator, the use of supplementation and the health status of patients with obstructive jaundice after surgery were studied. Arginine was found to significantly enhance immune function of patients with obstructive jaundice.

To study the immunomodulatory effect of arginine in surgery patients, 30 cancer patients took part in a randomized study; 16 were given L-arginine (25 g/day) while (the other 14 were given isonitrogenous L-glycine (43 g/day) for 7 days after major surgery. Parameters measured were nitrogen balance (daily) and immune parameters before and after surgery on days 1, 4, and 7. T-lymphocyte response was significantly enhanced to concanavalin A in the L-arginine group compared with the glycine group. L-arginine was also found to increase the CD4 phenotype. L-arginine was found to be beneficial in modulating the immune system in surgery patients. This immune-modulating effect was found to be nontoxic and distinct in its mechanism from its moderate effect on nitrogen metabolism (Daly el al., 1988).

The daily requirement of arginine supplementation has been calculated to be approximately 8 g/day (for a 70-kg person). Supplements in the range of 8-21 g/day have been used clinically in people with high cholesterol to restore the proper functioning of the vasodilatory pathways. Supplements in the range of 9-14 g/day have been used clinically to increase blood flow to the peripheries and improve conditions of myocardial ischemia and walking pain caused by claudication.

The average daily intake of arginine in the American diet has been calculated to be approximately 5 g/day. The primary dietary sources of this amino acid are meats and other high-protein foods (e.g., nuts, eggs).

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Article Added on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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