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Watermelon Supplementation and Arterial Stiffness

NCT01185041 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE1/PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2012-03-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Increased abdominal obesity (waist circumference) and systolic blood pressure (BP) are main risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. Approximately 60% of adults in the United States are prehypertensive or hypertensive. Hypertension has been associated with abnormal endothelial and autonomic function, the two main mechanisms of BP regulation. Endothelial dysfunction, as a result of reduced NO (a vasodilator), and increased sympathetic nervous system activity contribute to arterial stiffness by enhancing the vasomotor tone. Because BP variations are sensed by baroreceptors in the wall of large arteries, increased stiffness of arteries may attenuate the control of BP by the autonomic nervous system leading to hypertension. High production of proinflammatory cytokines and low adiponectin (vascular protective molecule), are considered the underlying mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The recommended intervention for controlling BP in overweight/obese individuals with pre- and stage 1- hypertension is lifestyle modifications and not drug therapy. Among the dietary regimens that are reported to reduce BP is L-arginine, the substrate for endothelial NO production. Recently, oral L-citrulline has been shown to be more effective than L-arginine in improving circulating NO levels because is not affected by enzymatic degradation. Watermelon, the leading US melon crop, is one of the few natural foods rich in L-citrulline which is efficiently transformed to arginine in humans. The investigators long-term goal is to provide feasible and effective dietary ways to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with high abdominal fat and BP. The overall objective of this study is to bring forth evidence that watermelon supplementation will reduce BP and cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial stiffness, autonomic dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction. The investigators postulate that watermelon supplementation will reduce BP and arterial stiffness by enhancing endothelial function and reducing vascular inflammation. The findings of this study will provide a foundation for disseminating feasible, safe approaches for preventing and combating obesity-related hypertension at its early stage which does not require drug therapy.

Conditions

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Watermelon Extract

6 weeks of watermelon extract taken in two doses of 3g each per day (6g per day)containing L-citrulline/L-arginine (4/2 g)

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Florida State University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Arturo Figueroa, MD, PhD · The Florida State University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
45 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2010-08-31
Primary Completion
2011-08-31
Completion
2011-08-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01185041 on ClinicalTrials.gov