Effect of Oral L-arginine 3.32 g a Day on Oxidative Stress Influencing Beta Cell Function and Insulin Resistance.

The objective of this clinical trial is to explore whether L-arginine supplementation with 3.32g/day may enhance antioxidant defenses in overweight and obese patients with pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome, possibly providing beta cell function and insulin resistance improvement. The primary efficacy endpoint will be to explore the effects of a short-term L-arginine supplementation on AOPP levels and PAI after three months of treatment, based on the rationale explained above. Secondary, the effects of L-arginine supplementation on lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant defenses will be explored. Tertiary, the effects of L-arginine supplementation on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism parameters will be also evaluated.