HYPOTHESIS The investigators primary hypothesis is that peripheral endothelial function and exercise tolerance will be abnormal in the population of young heart transplant patients at baseline, and that each will show a trend towards improvement following a 12 week course of oral L-arginine, with regression towards the baseline following the 12 week washout period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3
All study subjects will be treated with a 12 week (11-13 week) course of oral L-arginine at a dose of 6 g per day, divided into morning and evening doses of 3 g (3 1000 mg capsules or caplets).
University of Michigan Pediatric Heart Transplant Clinic
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Change in peripheral endothelial function from baseline following 12 week treatment course of L-arginine.
Endothelial function will be assessed at baseline as well as after a 12 week treatment course of L-arginine. A final measurement will be made following a 12 week washout period.
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Change from baseline in serum levels of oxidative stress markers
Serum markers of oxidative stress will be measured at baseline and after a 12 week treatment course of L-arginine. A final measurement will be made after a 12 week washout period.
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Change in exercise tolerance from baseline following a 12 week treatment course of L-arginine
Exercise tolerance will be assessed with a 6 minute walk at baseline and following a 12 week treatment course of L-arginine. A final measurement will be made after a 12 week washout period.
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
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