Effect of L-Citrulline on Vascular Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this project is to determine the importance of peripheral vascular function on gait performance in older adults.

Detailed Description
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This project employed a placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. Participants were randomized to oral L-citrulline (6 g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin) for 14 days, and switched to the other treatment for another 14 days after washout. Peripheral vascular function was assessed under conditions of rest, leg exercise, and cognitive engagement. Gait performance was assessed using clinical walking tests.

Official Title
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Impact of Reduced Arterial Stiffness on Peripheral Vascular Function and Mobility

Conditions
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Aging, Citrulline, Blood Flow

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: L-citrulline
* Other: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: older adults women and men aged 60-79 yrs must be able to swallow capsules fully mobile without assistive walking devices Exclusion Criteria: have physician diagnosed cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease are current smokers currently taking medications affecting cardiovascular function have high blood pressure (>159/99 mmHG) have high fasting blood glucose (>110 mg/dL) are considered obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) have orthopaedic limitations that limit walking ability have pacemaker or other metal objects in their body

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 79 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: CitrullinePlacebo<br>Subjects allocated to the CitrullinePlacebo study arm received L-citrulline first, followed by placebo. | Dietary Supplement: L-citrulline<br>* L-citrulline capsules given at 6 g/day<br>Other: Placebo<br>* Maltodextrin capsules given as placebo<br>|
| Experimental: PlaceboCitrulline<br>Subjects allocated to the PlaceboCitrulline study arm received placebo first, followed by L-citrulline. | Dietary Supplement: L-citrulline<br>* L-citrulline capsules given at 6 g/day<br>Other: Placebo<br>* Maltodextrin capsules given as placebo<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood Flow | Femoral blood flow during leg exercise and carotid blood flow during mental activity measured using Doppler ultrasound. Blood-oxygen-level dependent contrast imaging of the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during cognitive functioning. | baseline and 2 weeks for L-citrulline and placebo | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gait Performance | Usual and fast walking speeds measured during short (7m) and long (400m) distances. | baseline and 2 weeks for L-citrulline and placebo | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gait Speed, Cognitive Function