The effect of L-citrulline ingestion on cardiovascular function

Abstract

Background: there has been evidence that has suggested that the L-citrulline is readily converted to L- arginine, as the main substrate for nitric oxide (NO) production, thus enhancing the NO levels has shown to improve endothelial dysfunction and thereby improving arterial compliance. There also have been suggestions that dietary supplementations with L-citrulline can apply hypotensive effect upon blood pressure (BP). Objective: To measure any changes that have been observed in blood pressure and that have been caused by the intervention, also to see the short-range effects of ˪-citrulline supplementation on vascular endothelial function in healthy individuals. Methods: The pilot study followed a randomized, single blinded control trial design. Sixteen healthy, normotensive subjects were given either 1.5g/day ˪-citrulline supplements or placebo for two weeks. BP and haemodynamic parameters of pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart rate (HR) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured at baseline and after completion of Heat Presser Test (HPT) pre and post intervention. Results: There where changes that have been observed between the SBP and DBP between the intervention and placebo groups, as there was (P<0.05) for the sympathetic release and time after the two weeks period. Although there were no changes to the haemodynamic parameters found between the intervention and placebo group pre and post-HPT. Conclusion: The short-term supplementation of L- citrulline have shown to have an effect on the BP or arterial compliance pre or post- HPT. As there were not any significant findings found on the haemodynamic parameters, but managing to find trends showing that there L-citrulline had an effect on the cardiovascular response pre and post HPT. There is room for further research in regards to determining the dose-response relationship between ˪-citrulline supplementation and arterial haemodynamic changes in both healthy individuals and those with CVD individuals. Keywords: L-citrulline, nitric oxide, cold pressor test, arterial compliance, pulse wave velocity