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Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function

and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women

Arun Maharaj 1, Stephen M Fischer 1, Katherine N Dillon 1, Yejin Kang 1, Mauricio A Martinez 1, Arturo Figueroa 1 Affiliations expand

PMID: 36297080
PMCID: PMC9609406
DOI: 10.3390/nu14204396

Free PMC article

Abstract 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, p < 0.01) and FMD (Δ1.4 ± 2.0% vs. Δ-0.5 ± 1.7%, p = 0.03) compared to PL. Resting aortic diastolic BP (Δ-2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0.01) and mean arterial pressure (Δ-2 ± 4 vs. Δ2 ± 6 mmHg, p = 0.04) were significantly decreased after 4 weeks of L-CIT compared to PL. Although not statistically significant (p = 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. Keywords: aortic blood pressure; arterial stiffness; citrulline; endothelial function; hypertension; postmenopausal women.

Conflict of interest statement The authors declare no conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript.

Figures

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Study flow chart.

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Individual data and group mean…

Figure 3 Individual data and group mean…

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Individual data and group mean…

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