Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in huma

[Gregor]

Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle

D Bendahan1, J P Mattei1, B Ghattas2, S Confort-Gouny1, M E Le Guern3, P J Cozzone1

1 Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale, UMR CNRS 6612, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France

2 Groupement de Recherche en Econométrie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille

3 Laboratoire Biocodex, 92120 Montrouge, France

Correspondence to:

Correspondence to:

Professor Cozzone, Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale, UMR CNRS 6612, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, 27, Bd J Moulin, 13005 Marseille France;

patrick.cozzone@medecine.univ-mrs.fr

Background: Previous studies have shown an antiasthenic effect of citrulline/malate (CM) but the mechanism of action at the muscular level remains unknown.

Objective: To investigate the effects of CM supplementation on muscle energetics.

Methods: Eighteen men complaining of fatigue but with no documented disease were included in the study. A rest-exercise (finger flexions)-recovery protocol was performed twice before (D-7 and D0), three times during (D3, D8, D15), and once after (D22) 15 days of oral supplementation with 6 g/day CM. Metabolism of the flexor digitorum superficialis was analysed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 4.7 T.

Results: Metabolic variables measured twice before CM ingestion showed no differences, indicating good reproducibility of measurements and no learning effect from repeating the exercise protocol. CM ingestion resulted in a significant reduction in the sensation of fatigue, a 34% increase in the rate of oxidative ATP production during exercise, and a 20% increase in the rate of phosphocreatine recovery after exercise, indicating a larger contribution of oxidative ATP synthesis to energy production. Considering subjects individually and variables characterising aerobic function, extrema were measured after either eight or 15 days of treatment, indicating chronological heterogeneity of treatment induced changes. One way analysis of variance confirmed improved aerobic function, which may be the result of an enhanced malate supply activating ATP production from the tricarboxylic acid cycle through anaplerotic reactions.

Conclusion: The changes in muscle metabolism produced by CM treatment indicate that CM may promote aerobic energy production

[Larry Roseman]

It' may have potential.

Although te aboved study involved untrained generally fatigued men lifting 6Kg weights with their fingers.

As well it's not double blinded - no placebo group or baseline measurement - so reporting is subjective.

Also it reported increases in aerobic capability, which are great but not primary system used in gymnastics.

But there is a more meaningful test below relating to anaerobic endurance that shows marked improvement!!

My questions about it are, will the training effect be the same or better while taking it? This isn't demonstrated over time through measurements in this study.

I like the DOMs reduction potential the most, assuming the training effect is not blunted by the supplement.

Does anyone here have any first-hand knowledge using this supplement?

Citrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle soreness.

J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Apr 7

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of a single dose of citrulline malate (CM) on the performance of flat barbell bench presses as an anaerobic exercise and in terms of decreasing muscle soreness after exercise. Forty-one men performed 2 consecutive pectoral training session protocols (16 sets). The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover design. Eight grams of CM was used in 1 of the 2 training sessions, and a placebo was used in the other. The subjects’ resistance was tested using the repetitions to fatigue test, at 80% of their predetermined 1 repetition maximum (RM), in the 8 sets of flat barbell bench presses during the pectoral training session (S1-4 and S1′-4′). The p-value was 0.05. The number of repetitions showed a significant increase from placebo treatment to CM treatment from the third set evaluated (p <0.0001). This increase was positively correlated with the number of sets, achieving 52.92% more repetitions and the 100% of response in the last set (S4′). A significant decrease of 40% in muscle soreness at 24 hours and 48 hours after the pectoral training session and a higher percentage response than 90% was achieved with CM supplementation. The only side effect reported was a feeling of stomach discomfort in 14.63% of the subjects. We conclude that the use of CM might be useful to increase athletic performance in high-intensity anaerobic exercises with short rest times and to relieve postexercise muscle soreness. Thus, athletes undergoing intensive preparation involving a high level of training or in competitive events might profit from CM.

http://fitport.wordpress.com/2010/04/15 ... ne-malate/

[Larry Roseman]

I've used this a few times, 100% CM, just before doing strength workouts - both GB and weights.

It is highly effective i found for increasing my strength endurance and subjective energy level.

As well, it reduces the DOMS at least 50% (subjectively) despite the longer and harder workout.

There still is some, but it starts after 24 hours (instead of like 8 ) and only lasts for a shorter time.

I guess that the longer/harder workout is beneficial, however I'm not sure if the chemical

might interfere with signaling which results in strenghthing and muscle gain. Studies don't show

if it does or doesn't impat this. If acid build-up is a trigger in some way and involved in micro injury,

then it may impact it. But I don't use it often, mostly when I can't risk having sore muscles for a few days.

I've tried it for running and wouldn't recommend it though.

I found it took me much longer to recover from the extra effort it allowed me to produce.