The Objective of This Study Was to Compare and Quantify the Bioavailability of Citrulline Byproducts in Blood Samples and in Urine Samples After a Single Dose of the Assigned Dietary Supplement. The Treatment Arms Containing the Following Molecules: Citrulline HCL and L-Citrulline,
A SINGLE CENTER, SINGLE-BLIND STUDY DESIGN IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS TO EVALUATE SEVERAL EFFECTS OF CITRULLINE SUPPLEMENTS
1 other identifier
observational
32
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Citrulline dietary supplements are of interest for improving cardiovascular and exercise performance. The health benefits of citrulline are attributable to its ability to increase arginine levels in the body through the intestinal-renal arginine conversion pathway. From a dietary supplementation standpoint, citrulline offers advantages over arginine due to its reduced first-pass metabolism and ready conversion to arginine within the body. While L-citrulline is the most widely used citrulline dietary supplement, additional salt forms such as citrulline maleate and citrulline HCl may provide improvements in the delivery of arginine to the body. The present study compared the single-dose pharmacokinetics of L-citrulline and citrulline HCl formulations in healthy human subjects. A total of 17 subjects were randomly assigned to groups receiving either 6 g of L-citrulline, 6 g of citrulline HCl or 2 g of citrulline HCl. The resulting increases in citrulline and arginine in plasma and urine samples were determined using liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS). All citrulline dietary supplements examined produced time-dependent increases in plasma citrulline and arginine. Both maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma vs time curve (AUC) for citrulline were modestly reduced in the 6 g citrulline HCl treatment group, the resulting arginine Cmax and AUCs were similar for both L-citrulline and citrulline HCl at the 6 g dose. While the 2 g dose of citrulline HCl had reduced Cmax and AUC values compared to 6 g doses, the time to reach peak levels of arginine were significantly shorter. Furthermore, examination of the relative arginine bioavailability achieved with the 6 g and 2 g citrulline HCl compared to the 6 g L-citrulline was approximately 120% and 215%, respectively, consistent with an improved citrulline to arginine conversion efficiency with the citrulline HCl formulations.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
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participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for all trials
Started Jul 2024
1 active site
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Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
July 13, 2024
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
July 27, 2024
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
July 27, 2024
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 9, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 18, 2025
CompletedMay 18, 2025
May 1, 2025
14 days
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Arginine levels in plasma
Measured blood plasma arginine levels at various time points.
0-180 minutes
Study Arms (1)
Generally healthy male and female subjects aged 18-64
Interventions
The participation of a subject in this study may have been discontinued for any of the following reasons: * the subject wished to withdraw from study participation; * if, in the opinion of the Investigator, it was in the best interest of the subject; * suspected adverse effects from the test article; * inter-current illness; * violation of the prohibitions and restrictions; * development of an exclusion criteria. Subjects were free to withdraw at any time and need not give a reason, however, every reasonable attempt was made to ascertain such reasons. The data for those subjects who were withdrawn was included in the final clinical report but may be excluded from final data analysis.
The participation of a subject in this study may have been discontinued for any of the following reasons: * the subject wished to withdraw from study participation; * if, in the opinion of the Investigator, it was in the best interest of the subject; * suspected adverse effects from the test article; * inter-current illness; * violation of the prohibitions and restrictions; * development of an exclusion criteria. Subjects were free to withdraw at any time and need not give a reason, however, every reasonable attempt was made to ascertain such reasons. The data for those subjects who were withdrawn was included in the final clinical report but may be excluded from final data analysis.
Eligibility Criteria
healthy males and females ages 18-64
You may qualify if:
- healthy and hydrated male or female ages 18-64; agrees to refrain from citrulline-rich foods; able and willing to fast 12 hours prior to baseline visit; willing to have blood and urine collections as dictated in the protocol; females of child bearing age have some type of birth control.
You may not qualify if:
- female subject is pregnant; allergies or sensitivities to citrulline products; history of losing consciousness during blood collection;past medical history of iron deficiency; history of or current treatment for hypertension, coronary heart disease; or angina pectoris; known kidney function issues or disorders; being treated with ACE inhibitors; cancer diagnosis within 5 years of visit; history of chronic disease.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Vireo Systems, Inc.lead
- Princeton Consumer Researchcollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Princeton Consumer Research
Raritan, New Jersey, 08869, United States
Study Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Observational Model
- COHORT
- Time Perspective
- RETROSPECTIVE
- Sponsor Type
- INDUSTRY
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 9, 2025
First Posted
May 18, 2025
Study Start
July 13, 2024
Primary Completion
July 27, 2024
Study Completion
July 27, 2024
Last Updated
May 18, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-05