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Abstract record
21 June 2026
Authors: María Fernanda Salgado-Fernández, Arturo Orea-Tejeda, Martha Patricia Sierra-Vargas, Dulce González-Islas, Yazmín Debray-García, Octavio Gamaliel Aztatzi-Aguilar, Susana Galicia-Amor, Samantha Hernández-López, Getsemani Renteria-Serralde, Gabriela Cruz-Gijón, Valeria Maldonado-Vargas
Affiliations: Licenciatura en Nutriología, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México C.P. 09230, Mexico ; Unidad Clínica de Investigación Cardiopulmonar y Metabólica del Servicio de Cardiología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502 Col Sec XVI, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico ; Departamento de Investigación en Toxicología y Medicina Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico ; Laboratorio de Toxicología Inhalatoria e Integrativa, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México C.P. 14330, Mexico ; Departamento de Rehabilitación Pulmonar, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Ismael Cosío Villegas, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico
Author Emails: oreatart@gmail.com, pat_sierra@yahoo.com, gzz.dulce@gmail.com
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Post-COVID-19 syndrome is associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) and various sequelae, particularly in individuals who experienced critical illness during the acute phase, affecting lung function and the musculoskeletal system. L-citrulline, a nonessential amino acid, has been shown to improve endothelial function, systemic inflammation, blood pressure, and physical performance. This study aimed to assess the effects of L-citrulline supplementation on ED and body composition in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.
Methods:
We conducted an open-label randomized controlled clinical trial at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias in Mexico City, Mexico, from February 2021 to May 2022. Eligible subjects were adults aged ≥18 years who recovered from COVID-19 and required hospitalization during acute COVID-19. Participants were randomized 1:1 into two groups: (1) the L-citrulline group (4 g/day) and (2) the control group. The intervention lasted three months. Endothelial-related biomarkers, including endothelin-1, sE-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, were investigated. Body composition was measured using electrical bioimpedance, and aerobic capacity was assessed with the 6 min walk test (6MWT). Treatment effects were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (group × time).
Results:
In total, 43 subjects participated in the study. After three months of follow-up, the intervention group showed a decrease in ICAM-1 (-32.59 ng/mg of protein; 95% CI -52.85 to -12.33 vs. -2.31 ng/mg of protein, CI 95%: -21.59 to 16.95, p = 0.034) and an increase in 6MWT (141.2 m; 95% CI: 98.40 to 184 vs. 67.70 m, CI 95%: 30.62 to 104.78, p = 0.011) compared with the control group. No differences in body composition were observed between the groups at follow-up.
Conclusions:
L-citrulline supplementation for three months decreased ICAM-1 and increased 6MWT.
ISSN (Electronic): 2072-6643
DOI: 10.3390/nu18111706
URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/11/1706
CABI Record Number: 20260299786
Publisher: MDPI AG
Location of publication: Basel
Country of publication: Switzerland
Language of text: English
CABI Databases
Abstract record
21 June 2026
Effect of L-citrulline supplementation on endothelial function and body composition in post-COVID-19 syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.
Journal article: Nutrients, 27 May 2026, Vol. 18, No. 11, 1706 ref. 59Authors: María Fernanda Salgado-Fernández, Arturo Orea-Tejeda, Martha Patricia Sierra-Vargas, Dulce González-Islas, Yazmín Debray-García, Octavio Gamaliel Aztatzi-Aguilar, Susana Galicia-Amor, Samantha Hernández-López, Getsemani Renteria-Serralde, Gabriela Cruz-Gijón, Valeria Maldonado-Vargas
Affiliations: Licenciatura en Nutriología, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México C.P. 09230, Mexico ; Unidad Clínica de Investigación Cardiopulmonar y Metabólica del Servicio de Cardiología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502 Col Sec XVI, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico ; Departamento de Investigación en Toxicología y Medicina Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico ; Laboratorio de Toxicología Inhalatoria e Integrativa, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México C.P. 14330, Mexico ; Departamento de Rehabilitación Pulmonar, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Ismael Cosío Villegas, Ciudad de México C.P. 14080, Mexico
Author Emails: oreatart@gmail.com, pat_sierra@yahoo.com, gzz.dulce@gmail.com
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Abstract
Background:Post-COVID-19 syndrome is associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) and various sequelae, particularly in individuals who experienced critical illness during the acute phase, affecting lung function and the musculoskeletal system. L-citrulline, a nonessential amino acid, has been shown to improve endothelial function, systemic inflammation, blood pressure, and physical performance. This study aimed to assess the effects of L-citrulline supplementation on ED and body composition in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.
Methods:
We conducted an open-label randomized controlled clinical trial at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias in Mexico City, Mexico, from February 2021 to May 2022. Eligible subjects were adults aged ≥18 years who recovered from COVID-19 and required hospitalization during acute COVID-19. Participants were randomized 1:1 into two groups: (1) the L-citrulline group (4 g/day) and (2) the control group. The intervention lasted three months. Endothelial-related biomarkers, including endothelin-1, sE-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, were investigated. Body composition was measured using electrical bioimpedance, and aerobic capacity was assessed with the 6 min walk test (6MWT). Treatment effects were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (group × time).
Results:
In total, 43 subjects participated in the study. After three months of follow-up, the intervention group showed a decrease in ICAM-1 (-32.59 ng/mg of protein; 95% CI -52.85 to -12.33 vs. -2.31 ng/mg of protein, CI 95%: -21.59 to 16.95, p = 0.034) and an increase in 6MWT (141.2 m; 95% CI: 98.40 to 184 vs. 67.70 m, CI 95%: 30.62 to 104.78, p = 0.011) compared with the control group. No differences in body composition were observed between the groups at follow-up.
Conclusions:
L-citrulline supplementation for three months decreased ICAM-1 and increased 6MWT.
ISSN (Electronic): 2072-6643
DOI: 10.3390/nu18111706
URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/11/1706
CABI Record Number: 20260299786
Publisher: MDPI AG
Location of publication: Basel
Country of publication: Switzerland
Language of text: English
