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Effect of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Physical Function and Biochemical Parameters in Physically Active Older Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Supplementation
Registration Number
NCT07143305
Lead Sponsor
Universidad de Burgos
Brief Summary

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted with thirty-three community-dwelling women aged 65 years or over. Participants were assigned to a multicomponent training programme (three days per week) and received either 3 g per day of citrulline malate or a placebo. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including tests of physical performance (6MWT, sit-to-stand, SPPB), blood biomarkers (vitamin D, glucose, CK, hormones), and perceived quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Handgrip strengthAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Handgrip strength (kg) was assessed with a digital handheld dynamometer (JAMAR®, 0-90 kg; Performance Health, Warrenville, IL, USA), by standardised procedures.

CardiorespiratoryAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) on a standardised indoor 400-metre track.

Gait speedAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Gait speed was measured over four metres using photoelectric timing gates. Participants began walking five metres before the start line to ensure a consistent pace throughout the timed section.

Lower limb strengthAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Lower limb strength was assessed using the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSTS), which involved recording the time taken to rise from a 45 cm highchair five times as quickly as possible without using the arms for support.

BalanceAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Balance was assessed via static balance testing in three different stances, held for 10 seconds each: side-by-side, semi-tandem and tandem

Frailty and global physical functionAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Frailty and global physical function were evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which incorporates tests of gait speed, balance, and the ability to rise from a chair.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)At baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) was evaluated to explore potential cardiovascular implications.

Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain). A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing. All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

Creatine kinaseAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Creatine kinase was measured as an indicator of muscle damage.

Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain).

A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing.

All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

Liver enzyme activityAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Liver enzyme activity was assessed via serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT/GPT).

Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain).

A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing.

All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)At baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Low-density lipoprotein (HDL) was evaluated to explore potential cardiovascular implications.

Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain). A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing. All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

GlucoseAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Glucose provided insight into metabolic regulation. Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain). A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing. All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

TestosteroneAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Testosterone was used to evaluate the hormonal status and potential anabolic-catabolic shifts.

Venous blood samples were collected under standardised conditions between 08:00 and 08:30 a.m., following a minimum of 12 hours' fasting and at least eight hours' rest overnight. All extractions were performed by a certified nurse at an accredited clinical laboratory (Det Norske Veritas, certification no. 18031, Spain). A total of 10 ml of serum was drawn into clot-activator tubes, centrifuged and stored at -20 °C until analysis. Meanwhile, 3-5 mL of plasma was collected in EDTA® tubes and refrigerated at 4 °C for subsequent processing. All analytical procedures were conducted using standardised and validated platforms. Haematological assessments were performed using the Coulter Counter MAX-M® system, while biochemical and hormonal analyses were conducted using the Architect 2000® analyser (Abbott Diagnostics).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of Life questionnaireAt baseline, immediately before the start of the supplementation protocol, and at the end of the six-week intervention period, within 24 hours of the final exercise session

Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

City Council of Soria

🇪🇸

Soria, Spain

City Council of Soria
🇪🇸Soria, Spain

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