Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health
Citrulline, a non-essential amino acid and precursor to L-arginine, plays a pivotal role in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, with profound implications for vascular health and neuroprotection. By enhancing NO production, citrulline supports endothelial function, vasodilation, and cerebral circulation, t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58197 |
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| author | Daria Pedrycz Mateusz Drabczyk Emilia Pedrycz Karolina Karoń Grzegorz Drapała Wojciech Grabowski Łukasz Karoń Anna Zygmunt Sławomir Karoń |
| author_facet | Daria Pedrycz Mateusz Drabczyk Emilia Pedrycz Karolina Karoń Grzegorz Drapała Wojciech Grabowski Łukasz Karoń Anna Zygmunt Sławomir Karoń |
| author_sort | Daria Pedrycz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Citrulline, a non-essential amino acid and precursor to L-arginine, plays a pivotal role in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, with profound implications for vascular health and neuroprotection. By enhancing NO production, citrulline supports endothelial function, vasodilation, and cerebral circulation, thereby mitigating cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike direct arginine supplementation, citrulline offers superior bioavailability, bypassing first-pass metabolism and achieving sustained plasma levels of arginine. Furthermore, citrulline's antioxidant properties counteract oxidative stress by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing lipid peroxidation, and protecting neuronal integrity. Emerging evidence suggests its potential in delaying endothelial senescence and preventing ferroptosis, establishing its role in vascular and neuroprotective strategies. Dietary sources, such as watermelon juice, further enhance citrulline’s accessibility, combining its bioactivity with additional antioxidants like lycopene. While existing studies underscore its promise, targeted research is needed to confirm its direct impact on cognitive function and explore its application in neurodegenerative populations. This review synthesizes current knowledge on citrulline's mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and broader implications for aging and vascular health.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4ceb2184904d4fb59f0f00a4beb578e5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ceb2184904d4fb59f0f00a4beb578e52025-02-12T08:26:13ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-02-013810.12775/QS.2025.38.58197Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain HealthDaria Pedrycz0https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4988-5992Mateusz Drabczykhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3354-5982Emilia Pedryczhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-2751-2227Karolina Karońhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-0356-8907Grzegorz Drapałahttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-1492-1544Wojciech Grabowskihttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-9238-1411Łukasz Karońhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-5083-8307Anna Zygmunthttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-5849-6347Sławomir Karońhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-2551-4745Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of BiałystokCitrulline, a non-essential amino acid and precursor to L-arginine, plays a pivotal role in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, with profound implications for vascular health and neuroprotection. By enhancing NO production, citrulline supports endothelial function, vasodilation, and cerebral circulation, thereby mitigating cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike direct arginine supplementation, citrulline offers superior bioavailability, bypassing first-pass metabolism and achieving sustained plasma levels of arginine. Furthermore, citrulline's antioxidant properties counteract oxidative stress by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing lipid peroxidation, and protecting neuronal integrity. Emerging evidence suggests its potential in delaying endothelial senescence and preventing ferroptosis, establishing its role in vascular and neuroprotective strategies. Dietary sources, such as watermelon juice, further enhance citrulline’s accessibility, combining its bioactivity with additional antioxidants like lycopene. While existing studies underscore its promise, targeted research is needed to confirm its direct impact on cognitive function and explore its application in neurodegenerative populations. This review synthesizes current knowledge on citrulline's mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and broader implications for aging and vascular health. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58197CitrullineWatermelon juiceCognitive functionVascular healthNeuroprotectionNeurodegenerative diseases |
| spellingShingle | Daria Pedrycz Mateusz Drabczyk Emilia Pedrycz Karolina Karoń Grzegorz Drapała Wojciech Grabowski Łukasz Karoń Anna Zygmunt Sławomir Karoń Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health Quality in Sport Citrulline Watermelon juice Cognitive function Vascular health Neuroprotection Neurodegenerative diseases |
| title | Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health |
| title_full | Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health |
| title_fullStr | Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health |
| title_short | Citrulline – The Powerhouse Nutrient for Cardiometabolic and Brain Health |
| title_sort | citrulline the powerhouse nutrient for cardiometabolic and brain health |
| topic | Citrulline Watermelon juice Cognitive function Vascular health Neuroprotection Neurodegenerative diseases |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58197 |
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