NCT06977854

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

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
32

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2024

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 13, 2024

Completed
14 days until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 27, 2024

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 27, 2024

Completed
10 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 9, 2025

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 18, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

May 18, 2025

Status Verified

May 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

14 days

First QC Date

May 9, 2025

Last Update Submit

May 9, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Citrulline,Arginine

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

Other: Removal from study. In case of adverse event, subject treated for the AE.Other: removal from study

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.

Generally healthy male and female subjects aged 18-64

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.

Generally healthy male and female subjects aged 18-64

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 64 Years
Sexall(Gender-based eligibility)
Gender Eligibility Detailsfemale male
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

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

Study Sites (1)

Princeton Consumer Research

Raritan, New Jersey, 08869, United States

Location

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

Locations