Oral nitrate and citrulline decrease blood pressure and increase vascular conductance in young adults: a potential...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Inorganic nitrate and citrulline are known to enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, offering potential benefits for heart failure management.
• Their specific impacts on cardiac electrical activity, vascular compliance, and peripheral blood flow require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of acute oral nitrate and chronic citrulline consumption on cardiac electrical activity and blood flow.
• To assess changes in vascular compliance and peripheral conductance following nitrate and citrulline supplementation.

Main Methods:

• 12 young adults received either acute oral nitrate (8 mg/kg) or chronic citrulline (3 g/day) supplementation.
• Cardiac electrical activity was measured via ECG, and blood pressure was monitored.
• Blood flow and vascular compliance were assessed using IR-plethysmography.

Main Results:

• Both nitrate and citrulline decreased diastolic blood pressure; citrulline also reduced systolic pressure.
• Vascular compliance was reduced by both supplements at rest, with nitrate showing an increase post-exercise.
• Citrulline decreased R-R interval and pulse transit duration, while increasing heart rate and decreasing QRS duration.

Conclusions:

• Nitrate and citrulline supplementation reduced resting vascular tone.
• Citrulline altered sympathovagal balance, increasing sympathetic tone.
• Both supplements may serve as beneficial adjuvants for heart failure patients, potentially improving peripheral tissue oxygenation.