Content area
Full text
ABSTRACT. Background: Combining the amino acids arginine and glutamine with the leucine metabolite [beta]-hydroxy[beta]-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to reverse lean tissue loss in cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Although each of these nutrients has been shown to be safe, the safety of this mixture has not been reported. Three double-blind studies examined the safety of the combination of HMB, arginine and glutamine on blood chemistries, hematology, emotional profile, and adverse events. Methods: Study 1 was conducted in healthy adult males (n = 34), study 2 was in HIV patients with AIDS-associated weight loss (n = 43), and study 3 was in cancer patients with wasting (n = 32). Volunteers were assigned to either a placebo or a mixture of 3 g HMB, 14 g arginine, and 14 g glutamine per day. Results: Across the 3 studies, HMB, arginine, and glutamine supplementation was not associated with any adverse indicators of health. The only significant changes noted were positive indicators of health status. HMB, arginine, and glutamine supplementation was associated with an improvement in emotional profile (p = .05), a decreased feeling of weakness (p = .03), and increased red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, and eosinophils (p < .05) when compared with placebo-supplemented subjects. Blood creatinine levels were not changed. However, blood urea nitrogen increased (p = .01) with HMB, arginine, and glutamine supplementation, which was possibly caused by the additional nitrogen consumed or to the fact that ureagenesis is influenced by arginine and glutamine supplementation. Conclusion: These results show that HMB, arginine, and glutamine can be safely used to treat muscle wasting associated with AIDS and cancer. (Journal of Parenteral and Enterai Nutrition 28:65-75, 2004)
Supplements and enteral formulas containing the amino acids arginine1-5 and glutamine6-9 and the leucine metabolite [beta]-hydroxy-[beta]-methylbutyrate (HMB)10-12 are known to affect skeletal muscle and the immune system and, when combined, have been shown to reduce the muscle loss associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and advanced cancer.13,14 Supplementation of either HMB,10,15 arginine,16 or glutamine17 alone has been shown to be safe. Additionally, combinations of arginine and glutamine have been used for many years in immune-enhanced enteral formulas without adverse effects.18-20 Although there is no evidence that the combination of HMB, arginine, and glutamine would pose any...