Acute Effects Of L-citrulline Malate Supplementation On Post-exercise Hypotension In Hypertensives

Abstract

The L-Citrulline is an α-amino acid produced as a byproduct of the enzymatic production of nitric oxide from the amino acid arginine, catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase. The essential reaction in the body is caused by the release of nitric oxide, an important vasodilator required for regulating blood pressure. PURPOSE: To identify the acute effects of L-Citrulline malate supplementation on post-exercise hypotension in hypertensives. METHODS: Forty hypertensive subjects (58±15 years, 76±14 kg, 1.61±0.1 m) was randomized in four experimental groups (“no exercise-placebo [CP]”, “no exercise-l-citrulline malate [CL]”, “exercise-placebo [EP]” and “exercise-L-citrulline malate [EL]”). The exercise session consisted of 40 minutes on the treadmill (60-70% HRR) and the control session consisting of 40 minutes in a seated position. The double-blind supplementation (6 g L-Citruline malate or 6g placebo [corn starch]) was ingested 120 min before the exercise session. The resting blood pressure was measured three times (at 10, 15 and 20 minutes) in a seated position, before the experimental session. After the experimental session, the blood pressure was measured every 10 minutes for an hour, and the ambulatory blood pressure was measured for a further 24 hours. The results were converted to delta (variation), and the general linear model (repeated measures) was applied to multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No difference were identified at the baseline. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) remained reduced in the EL group compared with CP, CL and EP (-15.02±2.57 vs -2.28±1.10 [P=0.002], 5.43±2.98 [P<0.001] and -6.30±3.60 [P=0.03], respectively) during the first hour. During the 24 hours, the SBP remained reduced in EL compare to CL. No consistent difference between groups were identify to diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the first hour. The DBP keep reduced in EL group compared with CP, CL and EP (-14.55±2.02 vs -3.28±1.91 [P=0.001], -6.76±2.21 [P=0.018] and -7.62±2.66 [P=0.034], respectively). CONCLUSION: The magnitude and duration of post-exercise hypotension can be modulated by L-Citrulline malate supplementation in hypertensives.