Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women
Aging and menopause are associated with decreased nitric oxide bioavailability due to reduced L-arginine (L-ARG) levels contributing to endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED precedes arterial stiffness and hypertension development, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated t...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/20/4396 |
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| author | Arun Maharaj Stephen M. Fischer Katherine N. Dillon Yejin Kang Mauricio A. Martinez Arturo Figueroa |
| author_facet | Arun Maharaj Stephen M. Fischer Katherine N. Dillon Yejin Kang Mauricio A. Martinez Arturo Figueroa |
| author_sort | Arun Maharaj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aging and menopause are associated with decreased nitric oxide bioavailability due to reduced L-arginine (L-ARG) levels contributing to endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED precedes arterial stiffness and hypertension development, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effects of L-citrulline (L-CIT) on endothelial function, aortic stiffness, and resting brachial and aortic blood pressures (BP) in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Twenty-five postmenopausal women were randomized to 4 weeks of L-CIT (10 g) or placebo (PL). Serum L-ARG, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), and resting brachial and aortic BP were assessed at 0 and 4 weeks. L-CIT supplementation increased L-ARG levels (Δ13 ± 2 vs. Δ−2 ± 2 µmol/L, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and FMD (Δ1.4 ± 2.0% vs. Δ−0.5 ± 1.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.03) compared to PL. Resting aortic diastolic BP (Δ−2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 5 mmHg, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and mean arterial pressure (Δ−2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 6 mmHg, <i>p</i> = 0.04) were significantly decreased after 4 weeks of L-CIT compared to PL. Although not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.07), cfPWV decreased after L-CIT supplementation by ~0.66 m/s. These findings suggest that L-CIT supplementation improves endothelial function and aortic BP via increased L-ARG availability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:38:52Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:38:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-992effd380ad4b308c07f808817f25e12023-11-24T01:46:03ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432022-10-011420439610.3390/nu14204396Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal WomenArun Maharaj0Stephen M. Fischer1Katherine N. Dillon2Yejin Kang3Mauricio A. Martinez4Arturo Figueroa5Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USAAging and menopause are associated with decreased nitric oxide bioavailability due to reduced L-arginine (L-ARG) levels contributing to endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED precedes arterial stiffness and hypertension development, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effects of L-citrulline (L-CIT) on endothelial function, aortic stiffness, and resting brachial and aortic blood pressures (BP) in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Twenty-five postmenopausal women were randomized to 4 weeks of L-CIT (10 g) or placebo (PL). Serum L-ARG, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), and resting brachial and aortic BP were assessed at 0 and 4 weeks. L-CIT supplementation increased L-ARG levels (Δ13 ± 2 vs. Δ−2 ± 2 µmol/L, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and FMD (Δ1.4 ± 2.0% vs. Δ−0.5 ± 1.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.03) compared to PL. Resting aortic diastolic BP (Δ−2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 5 mmHg, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and mean arterial pressure (Δ−2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 6 mmHg, <i>p</i> = 0.04) were significantly decreased after 4 weeks of L-CIT compared to PL. Although not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.07), cfPWV decreased after L-CIT supplementation by ~0.66 m/s. These findings suggest that L-CIT supplementation improves endothelial function and aortic BP via increased L-ARG availability.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/20/4396citrullineendothelial functionarterial stiffnessaortic blood pressurehypertensionpostmenopausal women |
| spellingShingle | Arun Maharaj Stephen M. Fischer Katherine N. Dillon Yejin Kang Mauricio A. Martinez Arturo Figueroa Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women Nutrients citrulline endothelial function arterial stiffness aortic blood pressure hypertension postmenopausal women |
| title | Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women |
| title_full | Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women |
| title_fullStr | Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women |
| title_short | Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women |
| title_sort | effects of l citrulline supplementation on endothelial function and blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women |
| topic | citrulline endothelial function arterial stiffness aortic blood pressure hypertension postmenopausal women |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/20/4396 |
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