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Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Proteins and Amino Acids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 21479

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Arturo Figueroa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Interests: exercise physiology; arterial function; muscle fitness; muscle mass; muscle strength; middle-aged and older adults with obesity; hypertension; type 2 diabetes; nutritional supplementation on the age- and obesity-related cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances in women; endothelial function; arterial stiffness; resistance training; citrulline
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alexei Wong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207, USA
Interests: vascular physiology; cardiometabolic health; arterial stiffness; endothelial dysfunction; sports nutrition; hypertension; body composition; L-citrulline; L-arginine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aging, obesity, and cardiometabolic abnormalities are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The amino acid L-arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in endothelial cells. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by low NO bioavailability for vascular homeostasis, is an early event for the development of CVD via arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis. Cardiometabolic risk factors including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and abdominal adiposity contribute to endothelial dysfunction. L-arginine deficiency for NO production could be reverted with dietary L-arginine and its precursor L-citrulline, which is abundant in watermelon. Although L-arginine and L-citrulline have shown effectiveness in improving endothelial function, blood pressure, and glucose control, more evidence around vascular and metabolic effects of these amino acids is needed, which can only be acquired through further research.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original research, meta-analyses, and systemic reviews on the effects of L-arginine, L-citrulline, and watermelon supplementation on vascular and metabolic health including blood pressure, vascular reactivity, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis, hemodynamics, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.

Prof. Dr. Arturo Figueroa
Dr. Alexei Wong
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • blood pressure
  • endothelial function
  • arterial stiffness
  • aortic hemodynamics
  • blood flow
  • atherosclerosis
  • hyperglycemia
  • dyslipidemia
  • insulin resistance

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 184 KiB  
Editorial
Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health
by Arturo Figueroa and Alexei Wong
Nutrients 2023, 15(6), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061491 - 20 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1839
Abstract
The endothelium is crucial in controlling blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health)

Research

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15 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Combined L-Citrulline Supplementation and Slow Velocity Low-Intensity Resistance Training Improves Leg Endothelial Function, Lean Mass, and Strength in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women
by Yejin Kang, Katherine N. Dillon, Mauricio A. Martinez, Arun Maharaj, Stephen M. Fischer and Arturo Figueroa
Nutrients 2023, 15(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010074 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3724
Abstract
Hypertension is highly prevalent in postmenopausal women. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with hypertension and the age-related decreases in muscle mass and strength. L-citrulline supplementation (CIT) and slow velocity low-intensity resistance training (SVLIRT) have improved vascular function, but their effect on muscle mass is [...] Read more.
Hypertension is highly prevalent in postmenopausal women. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with hypertension and the age-related decreases in muscle mass and strength. L-citrulline supplementation (CIT) and slow velocity low-intensity resistance training (SVLIRT) have improved vascular function, but their effect on muscle mass is unclear. We investigated whether combined CIT and SVLIRT (CIT + SVLIRT) would have additional benefits on leg endothelial function (superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilation (sfemFMD)), lean mass (LM), and strength in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Participants were randomized to CIT (10 g/day, n = 13) or placebo (PL, n = 11) alone for 4 weeks and CIT + SVLIRT or PL + SVLIRT for another 4 weeks. sfemFMD, leg LM and muscle strength were measured at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. CIT increased sfemFMD after 4 weeks (CIT: Δ1.8 ± 0.3% vs. PL: Δ−0.2 ± 0.5%, p < 0.05) and 8 weeks (CIT + SVLIRT: Δ2.7 ± 0.5% vs. PL + SVLIRT: Δ−0.02 ± 0.5, p = 0.003). Leg LM improved after CIT + SVLIRT compared to PL + SVLIRT (Δ0.49 ± 0.15 kg vs. Δ0.07 ± 0.12 kg, p < 0.05). Leg curl strength increased greater with CIT + SVLIRT compared to PL + SVLIRT (Δ6.9 ± 0.9 kg vs. Δ4.0 ± 1.0 kg, p < 0.05). CIT supplementation alone improved leg endothelial function and when combined with SVLIRT has additive benefits on leg LM and curl strength in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health)
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Graphical abstract

11 pages, 940 KiB  
Article
Wild Watermelon-Extracted Juice Ingestion Reduces Peripheral Arterial Stiffness with an Increase in Nitric Oxide Production: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study
by Shumpei Fujie, Keiko Iemitsu, Kenichiro Inoue, Taro Ogawa, Ayaka Nakashima, Kengo Suzuki and Motoyuki Iemitsu
Nutrients 2022, 14(24), 5199; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245199 - 7 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3901
Abstract
Wild watermelon contains various nutrients, but the effect of its acute ingestion on arterial stiffness is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether a single bout of acute ingestion of wild watermelon-extracted juice decreased arterial stiffness concomitant with an increase in nitric oxide [...] Read more.
Wild watermelon contains various nutrients, but the effect of its acute ingestion on arterial stiffness is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether a single bout of acute ingestion of wild watermelon-extracted juice decreased arterial stiffness concomitant with an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. Twelve healthy young female participants were tested under two conditions in a randomized, double-blind crossover study: (1) a beverage containing 90 g of wild watermelon extract and (2) a control beverage: a placebo. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), an index of arterial stiffness, blood flow, and plasma nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels were measured in the supine position at 30, 60, and 90 min after the intake of each beverage. The changes in femoral-ankle PWV were significantly reduced after wild watermelon-extracted juice intake compared to those in the placebo group. Additionally, the changes in blood flow in the posterior tibial artery and plasma NOx levels after intake of wild watermelon-extracted juice were significantly increased compared to those in the placebo group. These data show that acute ingestion of wild watermelon-extracted juice reduces peripheral (lower limb) arterial stiffness and increases NO bioavailability. To confirm these associations, more detailed investigations of the nutrients that influence these effects should be conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health)
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12 pages, 1251 KiB  
Article
Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women
by Arun Maharaj, Stephen M. Fischer, Katherine N. Dillon, Yejin Kang, Mauricio A. Martinez and Arturo Figueroa
Nutrients 2022, 14(20), 4396; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204396 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5126
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) [...] Read more.
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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health)
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Review

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15 pages, 686 KiB  
Review
Current Evidence of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Ingestion on Vascular Health: A Food Science and Technology Perspective
by Mônica Volino-Souza, Gustavo Vieira de Oliveira, Carlos Adam Conte-Junior, Arturo Figueroa and Thiago Silveira Alvares
Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2913; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142913 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5414
Abstract
The amino acid L-arginine is crucial for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, an important molecule regulating vascular tone. Considering that vascular dysfunction precedes cardiovascular disease, supplementation with precursors of NO synthesis (e.g., L-arginine) is warranted. However, supplementation of L-citrulline is recommended instead of L-arginine [...] Read more.
The amino acid L-arginine is crucial for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, an important molecule regulating vascular tone. Considering that vascular dysfunction precedes cardiovascular disease, supplementation with precursors of NO synthesis (e.g., L-arginine) is warranted. However, supplementation of L-citrulline is recommended instead of L-arginine since most L-arginine is catabolized during its course to the endothelium. Given that L-citrulline, found mainly in watermelon, can be converted to L-arginine, watermelon supplementation seems to be effective in increasing plasma L-arginine and improving vascular function. Nonetheless, there are divergent findings when investigating the effect of watermelon supplementation on vascular function, which may be explained by the L-citrulline dose in watermelon products. In some instances, offering a sufficient amount of L-citrulline can be impaired by the greater volume (>700 mL) of watermelon needed to reach a proper dose of L-citrulline. Thus, food technology can be applied to reduce the watermelon volume and make supplementation more convenient. Therefore, this narrative review aims to discuss the current evidence showing the effects of watermelon ingestion on vascular health parameters, exploring the critical relevance of food technology for acceptable L-citrulline content in these products. Watermelon-derived L-citrulline appears as a supplementation that can improve vascular function, including arterial stiffness and blood pressure. Applying food technologies to concentrate bioactive compounds in a reduced volume is warranted so that its ingestion can be more convenient, improving the adherence of those who want to ingest watermelon products daily. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Benefits of Supplementation with L-arginine, Citrulline and Watermelon on Vascular and Metabolic Health)
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