Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure with High Dose of Arginine Impact on Circulating Mediators of Tissue Regeneration

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia (IHE) increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which, as signalling molecules, participate in tissue injury–repair–regeneration cascade. The process is also stimulated by arginine whose bioavailability is a limiting factor for NO synthesis. The effects of IHE in combination with arginine (Arg) intake on myogenesis and angiogenesis mediators were examined in a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Blood samples were collected from 38 elite athletes on the 1st, 7th and 14th days during the training camp. The oral doses of arginine (2 × 6 g/day) and/or IHE using hypoxicator GO2Altitude (IHE and Arg/IHE) were applied. Serum NO and H(2)O(2) concentrations increased significantly and were related to muscle damage (CK activity >900 IU/mL) in IHE and Arg/IHE compared to placebo. The changes in NO and H(2)O(2) elevated the levels of circulating growth factors such as HGF, IHG-1, PDGF(BB), BDNF, VEGF and EPO. Modification of the lipid profile, especially reduced non-HDL, was an additional beneficial effect of hypoxic exposure with arginine intake. Intermittent hypoxic exposure combined with high-dose arginine intake was demonstrated to affect circulating mediators of injury–repair–regeneration. Therefore, a combination of IHE and arginine seems to be a potential therapeutic and non-pharmacological method to modulate the myogenesis and angiogenesis in elite athletes.