Effects of Citrulline on Gut Functioning During Excercise

Hypoperfusion Clinical Trial

Official title: Effects of Citrulline on Gut Functioning During Excercise

Status Enrolling by invitation

Clinical Trial Summary

During exercise, splanchnic perfusion is compromised, resulting in organ damage in healthy individuals. Improving the availability of NO might result increase splanchnic perfusion and prevent organ damage during exercise.

Clinical Trial Description

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays an important role in the human body. The wall of the GI system regulates digestion and absorption of nutrients and it also has a very important function as a barrier between internal and external environment. The penetration of harmful substances and microbiota of the GI lumen (external environment) to the systemic circulation (internal environment) depends on this barrier. Previous studies have shown that exercise in healthy subjects provides hypoperfusion of the splanchnic area, resulting in intestinal damage, increased small intestinal permeability and liver damage. Similar splanchnic hypoperfusion occurs in patients with compromised circulation.

During episodes of splanchnic hypoperfusion, the de novo synthesis of nitric oxide (nitric oxide, NO) from arginine is compromised. This impaired NO synthesis may play a role in the development of organ dysfunction during exercise. L-citrulline administration, a precursor of arginine and NO, may result in improved NO availability and organ perfusion, thereby preventing organ damage. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Gastrointestinal
• Gut Damage
• Hypoperfusion

• NCT number: NCT01239303
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Maastricht University Medical Center
• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: December 2010
• Completion date: February 2012