Healthy Aging
Conditions
Keywords
Watermelon, L-citrulline, Blood pressure
Brief summary
L-citrulline is found naturally in watermelon. Recently interest has increased for this amino acid due to potential health benefits. Notably, L-citrulline has the potential to lead to dilation of blood vessels due to its involvement in the production of nitric oxide. The study will be an acute single blind, randomised controlled, crossover intervention study in healthy, young volunteers. Participants receive either the test watermelon drink or control drink (water). Blood samples and vascular measures (by a single-cuff based method) will be measured at baseline. Vascular measures will be repeated at 15-minute intervals between 0-2 hours and a second blood sample will be drawn at 1.5 hours to coincide with the estimated peak plasma L-citrulline. Citrulline, arginine and nitric oxide metabolites will be measured in the blood samples.
Interventions
OTHERWatermelon Juice
500 mL watermelon juice (What a Melon), containing \ 1 g of L-citrulline.
OTHERWater
500 mL low nitrate water
Sponsors
University of Reading
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Males and females * 18-30 years * Healthy (as per
Exclusion criteria
) * Able to understand information sheet * Willing to comply with the study protocol * Able to give informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in blood pressure | At baseline (t= 0 hours) and 15 minute intervals until t= 2 hours. | Blood pressure by automated device |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in NOx (nitric oxide metabolites) | At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours. | Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentration |
| Change in l-arginine | At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours. | L-arginine concentration |
| Change in l-citrulline | At baseline (t= 0 hours) and t=1.5 hours. | L-citrulline concentration |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed