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New research showed an extrodinary 34% increase in the turnover of ATP production following supplementation wih citrulline malate. You will find some additional abstracts purtaining to CM at the bottom of this post.
I have posted the complete study by Bendahan et al. - ABSTRACT CONTAINS CONDENSED VERSION
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle
D Bendahan1, J P Mattei1, B Ghattas2, S Confort-Gouny1, M E Le Guern3 and 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:
Professor Cozzone, Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale, UMR CNRS 6612, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, 27, Bd J Moulin, 13005 Marseille France;
[email protected]
Accepted 15 February 2002
ABSTRACT
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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.
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Keywords: 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy; anaplerosis; fatigue; energetics; skeletal muscle
Abbreviations: CM, citrulline/malate; TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle; MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopy; PCr, phosphocreatine; EC, energy cost
Citrulline/malate (CM; Stimol; CAS 54940-97-5) is a mixture of citrulline, which is involved in the urea cycle, and malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediate. It is usually prescribed as an antiasthenic treatment. Previous studies in humans and rats have indicated that CM treatment improves muscle performance of subjects suffering from asthenia. Several double blinded versus placebo clinical investigations have clearly shown an antiasthenic effect of CM under various conditions of fatigue.1,2 From a systemic point of view, measurements of lactate and ammonia performed during and after bicycle exercise have shown increased rates of clearance from the blood after exercise3,4 as the result of CM treatment, and an effect on acid-base balance has been reported at hepatic and renal levels.5 Experiments using cellular models have suggested an action of CM on lactate metabolism.6 Clinically, CM treatment has been shown to improve recovery of physical activity after acute diseases.1 Although all these results indicate potential effects of CM on muscle performance, the actual effect remains unknown. In a study of muscle fatigue induced by bacterial endotoxins in a rat model, it has been shown that mechanical characteristics—that is, resistance to fatigue—improved after CM treatment. This beneficial effect has been hypothetically linked to nitric oxide synthesis through the production of citrulline.731P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is now well established as a non-invasive method for measuring metabolic changes before, during, and after muscular exercise. It provides kinetic information on high energy phosphate compounds and intracellular pH and has been used to document normal muscle metabolism,8–11 metabolic effects of training,12,13 and metabolic deviations in various metabolic myopathies.14–16 The purpose of our study was to document directly the effect of CM, if any, on muscle energetics in humans by using 31P MRS.
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Approach to the problem
The antiasthenic effect of CM, which has been widely reported in humans and animals,1–7 may be mediated by either citrulline or malate or both. Acceleration of the clearance of plasma ammonium and lactate in humans has been linked to the role of citrulline in the urea cycle. On the other hand, malate, an intermediate of the TCA cycle, may be involved in the beneficial effects on recovery from physical fatigue in humans. In this study, we hypothesised that the antiasthenic effects of CM may be due to changes affecting muscle energetics. These potential changes are amenable to measurement by 31P MRS, a non-invasive technique allowing continuous measurement of high energy phosphate compounds and pH during transition from rest to exercise and during the recovery period. Ultimately, this method provides quantitative information on the contributions of aerobic and anaerobic pathways to energy production, which may be affected by CM supplementation. To test our hypothesis, we investigated muscle energetics in subjects in an acute phase of fatigue. Subjects were selected according to CM prescription—that is, if they complained of fatigue but with no documented disease. Clinical examination, electrocardiography, and blood tests were performed to eliminate any disease that could account, directly or indirectly, for the fatigue.
Subjects
Eighteen sedentary male subjects (mean (SD) age 31.1 (9.2)) who complained of fatigue were enrolled in the study. Fatigue was characterised as described by Mac Nelley17 and by visual analogue scales.18 Mean (SD) height and weight were respectively 177.6 (4.6) cm and 72.7 (10.6) kg. Mean (SD) scores were 6 (0.9) and 49 (15) for Mac Nelley and visual analogue scales respectively. Before inclusion, all subjects gave their informed written consent, and health status was assessed from medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. None of the subjects were taking any medication at the time of the study, and they did not suffer from any diseases. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Timone Hospital in Marseille.
31P MRS
31P MRS exploration of finger flexor muscles was carried out as previously described using a Bruker 47/30 Biospec spectrometer interfaced with a 30 cm bore, 4.7 T horizontal superconducting magnet.19 The protocol was explained in detail to each patient before the exploration. Subjects sat on a chair by the magnet with their dominant arm resting in the magnet bore. To ensure good venous return, the forearm was placed at about the same height as the shoulder. Magnetic field homogeneity was optimised by monitoring the signal from the water and lipid protons at 200.14 MHz. Pulsing conditions (1.8 second interpulse delay, 120 &µs pulse length) were chosen to optimise the 31P MRS signal obtained with a 50 mm diameter, double tuned surface coil positioned over the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. Spectra were time averaged over one minute (32 scans) and sequentially recorded over three minutes of rest, three minutes of exercise, and 20 minutes of recovery. Exercise consisted of finger flexions performed at 1.5 second intervals lifting a 6 kg weight as described previously.9 All subjects were able to complete the exercise. The three minute exercise duration and intensity were chosen to ensure appreciable decreases in pH and phosphocreatine (PCr) in all subjects and the completion of the protocol. The sliding of the weight was recorded using a displacement transducer connected to a personal computer. Force was measured using ATS software (Sysma, France), and power output was calculated for each minute of exercise. This protocol was repeated twice before (D-7 and D0), three times during (D3, D8, D15), and once after (D22) oral administration of CM. The dose was two ampoules (1 g CM per ampoule) three times a day for 15 days (from D1 to D15). CM was provided by Biocodex (Montrouge, France). The concentrations of citrulline and malate in each ampoule were 5.5 and 4.7 g/100 ml respectively. The purity of the product was greater than 99%. Resource and time constraints meant that 18 subjects (108 separate experiments) were the most we could recruit.
Data analysis
Raw MRS signals were transferred to an IBM RISC 6000 workstation and processed using the NMR1 spectroscopy software (New Methods Research Inc, Syracuse, New York, USA). Fourier transform and deconvolution of free induction decays corresponding to a line broadening of 15 Hz were then performed. Baseline correction was obtained with baseline deconvolution using computer estimated filter size and flattening factors.20 The area of each resonance was measured by curve fitting of the spectrum to Lorentzian lines. Concentrations of PCr, inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP, and phosphomonoesters were calculated. Values were corrected for differential magnetic saturation and expressed as absolute concentrations relative to the ATP concentration found at rest in muscle biopsy specimens (8.2 mmol/l intracellular water (mM)).21 Free cytosolic ADP concentration was calculated from the creatine kinase equilibrium, assuming a total creatine content of 42.5 mM, which is usually reported for muscle biopsy specimens.8 Intracellular pH was calculated from the chemical shift of Pi relative to PCr.22
As a standardisation procedure, the magnitude of changes in [PCr] and pH measured at the end of exercise were scaled to power output and referred to as [PCr]/power and pH/power respectively. Taking into account all the data points, the rate of PCr resynthesis during the recovery period was fitted to a first order exponential equation as follows:
((1))
where t is time, and [PCr]rest and [PCr]cons respectively indicate concentration of PCr at rest and extent of PCr consumed at end of exercise. The rate constant (k) is expressed in min-1. The initial rate of PCr resynthesis was calculated as the product of k and [PCr]cons resulting from the time zero derivative of equation (1).23
Quantitative analysis of metabolic changes
Rates of aerobic and anaerobic ATP production were calculated in exercising muscle as originally described by Kemp et al.24 Briefly, the energy cost (EC) of contraction was calculated at the onset of exercise, the oxidative contribution being regarded as negligible at that time.10 Rates of glycogenolytic ATP production were calculated taking into account changes in [PCr] and pH during exercise, in addition to buffering capacity25 and proton efflux.26 Assuming that EC remains proportional to power output throughout the exercise period, rates of aerobic ATP production can be calculated at any time during exercise as the difference between EC and anaerobic ATP production scaled to power output.24
Statistical analysis
The General Linear Models procedure of the SAS software (options REPEATED, LSMEANS, and CONTRAST) was used to perform an analysis of variance.
For variables measured during exercise (therefore changing with time) such as metabolite concentration, pH, power output, and rates of ATP production, two way analysis of variance with repeated measures (repeated factors being exercise and treatment duration) were used. Wilk's tests were performed to analyse the effects of exercise duration and the interaction between exercise and treatment duration. Post hoc repeated comparisons (Scheffe's contrasts) were performed to test specific hypotheses.
For rates of recovery of [PCr] and pH, one way analysis of variance with repeated measures (repeated factor being treatment duration) was used. F tests were performed to determine the overall effect of treatment duration on the recovery kinetics. Then, multiple comparison procedures (Scheffe's contrasts) were used to compare each value with the corresponding value measured before and after the treatment. p<0.05 was considered significant. Homogeneity of variances and normality of residuals were checked using Levene's test, an option of General Linear Models for homogeneity of stack variances and normality of residuals. When considering repeated measurements, analysis of variance type methods are the only appropriate statistical methods. Given that variance of each measurement is taken into account, these methods are usually more powerful than simple t tests, which are actually not reliable for multiple repeated measurements.
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Metabolic changes and reproducibility of results
Table 1 summarises intracellular metabolite concentrations and pH calculated at rest; they do not differ from results reported previously.8 Figure 1 shows metabolic changes recorded during the rest-exercise-recovery protocols and before the treatment. Clearly, no significant changes were observed between the two measurements performed a week apart before the treatment. Exercise led to PCr consumption as a result of ATP hydrolysis by the myosin ATPases, illustrating the buffering effect of PCr on ATP concentration (fig 1A). Cytosolic pH changes (fig 1B) reflect the balance between protons produced by glycogenolysis, consumed through the creatine kinase equilibrium, and handled by buffering components and transporters. A transient acidosis was observed at the onset of recovery as a result of proton production through the creatine kinase equilibrium. Recovery kinetics of PCr and pH remained similar before the treatment period (fig 1A,B). Rates of anaerobic ATP production were calculated taking account of changes in [PCr] and pH (fig 1C,D). As for changes in [PCr] and pH, no variation was measured between rates calculated at D-7 and D0. The overall rate of ATP turnover during exercise remained the same at D-7 and D0, showing a constant proportionality between energy production and mechanical performance between the two measurements (table 1). Similarly, the initial rate of PCr hydrolysis measured at the beginning of exercise, the final muscle energetic status after the three minute exercise, and the magnitude of metabolic changes scaled to power output were all identical at D-7 and D0 (table 1 and fig 1).
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Table 1 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy variables measured before treatment with citrulline/malate (D-7 and D0)
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Figure 1 Time dependent changes in phosphocreatine (PCr) concentration (A) and pH (B) during the rest-exercise-recovery protocol. Shaded area represents the three minute exercise. Rate of ATP production from PCr hydrolysis (C) and from glycogenolysis (D) during the exercise period. Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE.
Metabolic effects of treatment
No adverse reactions to CM treatment were reported by the volunteers or observed by the doctors monitoring the clinical trial. The variables measured at rest, including [PCr] and pH, were similar during and after treatment, suggesting no effect of treatment on muscle energetic status at rest (table 2). Considering the group as a whole, work rate measured during the three minute exercise test remained constant during CM treatment, and the total rate of energy turnover did not change, indicating a constant proportionality between the rate of ATP consumption and mechanical output (table 2). Similarly, the rate of ATP production from PCr hydrolysis was constant throughout the treatment (fig 2A). In contrast, a 34% increase in the rate of aerobic ATP production was observed, reaching a maximum after three days of treatment and then slowly returning to the pretreatment value (fig 2B). However, this 34% increase was not significant, although very close to the set threshold. The concentration of ADP, which is known to be the driving force of oxidative ATP synthesis, was not affected by CM treatment. Figure 3 shows the changes in [PCr] and pH measured throughout the experimental protocol and related to work output. Both variables decreased with increasing work output, and a shift towards higher values of work output for a given value of either [PCr] or pH was measured mainly at the end of exercise. Also, a 20% increase was observed for the rate of [PCr] recovery, indicating more rapid aerobic ATP production at D8 than before treatment. Overall, a reduction in fatigue sensation was reported by all the subjects. On both scales, the effect was maximum after 15 days of treatment.
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Table 2 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy variables measured before, during, and after treatment with citrulline/malate
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Figure 2 Time dependent changes in the rate of ATP production from phosphocreatine (PCr) hydrolysis (A) and the aerobic pathway (B) expressed as percentage of energy cost (%EC). Evolution of the initial rate of PCr resynthesis (C) during the protocol. Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE.
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Figure 3 Changes in (A) phosphocreatine concentration ([PCr]) and (B) pH recorded as a function of work output during exercise. Error bars were omitted for the sake of clarity. A shift towards higher values of work output for both variables during treatment with citrulline/malate indicates an improvement in muscle performance.
Looking at the data individually, a large heterogeneity was observed among the subjects, who displayed extrema after either eight or 15 days of treatment. This chronological heterogeneity of individual responses during CM treatment may prevent statistical significance from being reached for the whole group. In other words, because the chronological responses to the treatment differed among subjects, comparative analysis of the average values of a given variable on a given day may not be appropriate. Extrema of some variables, referring to maxima or minima between D8 and D15, were therefore calculated and compared, using a one way analysis of variance, with extrema measured before and after the treatment. The new occurrences were identified as "before" (corresponding to the extrema measured among two measurements before the treatment period), "during" (corresponding to the extrema measured among two measurements, D8 and D15, throughout the treatment period), and "after" (corresponding to measurement performed after the treatment period).
Overall, the results showed no treatment induced changes in the variables measured at rest and at the onset of exercise, indicating that neither the energetic status of the muscle nor the total rate of ATP turnover were modified after CM administration (table 2). In contrast, a significant decrease was measured for pH/power (fig 3 and table 2). Also, significantly more aerobically produced ATP was measured during CM treatment (fig 4 and table 2), indicating a transient enhancement of oxidative processes, as suggested by the initial statistical analysis. Further, the kinetics of [PCr] recovery after exercise were significantly faster after treatment (fig 4, table 2), illustrating the positive effect of CM on aerobic metabolism.
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Figure 4 Changes in variables measured before, during, and after the treatment period (see text for definition). (A) pH/power refers to the pH changes recorded at end of the exercise period and scaled to the power output. (B) Initial rate of phosphocreatine (PCr) resynthesis (Virec) measured during the initial recovery period. (C) Changes in the rate of oxidative ATP production measured before, during, and after the treatment period expressed as percentage of energy cost (%EC). Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE. The asterisk indicates a significant difference compared with the measurements performed before (p1) and after (p2) the treatment period. Details on measurements performed before, during, and after treatment are specified in the text.
DISCUSSION
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ABSTRACT
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
Appendix
REFERENCES
The main results of this study indicate that CM treatment results in a larger contribution of aerobic pathways to global energy production. This result must be analysed in the light of the high reproducibility and stability of metabolic indices recorded one week and one day before treatment. The stability of these measurements reflects the reliability of the method and the absence of a learning effect from repetition of the protocol. Given the stability and reproducibility of the measurements, no placebo control group was used.
Methodological considerations
Considering the spatial selectivity of MRS measurements performed with a surface coil, one could argue that the metabolic changes may be recorded from a mixture of activated and inactivated muscles, thereby limiting the relation between mechanical output and metabolic changes. Using T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging experiments, we have previously shown, in agreement with others, that finger flexions using the four fingers (as in this experiment) is mainly associated with activation of the finger flexors (profundus and superficialis). Considering the size of our coil (5 cm), it is likely that metabolic changes were recorded from all the muscles producing force. Furthermore, if metabolic changes had been recorded from a mixture of activated and inactivated muscles, we would have observed a split Pi resonance on the spectra because of various extents of acidosis in each muscle compartment. This was never the case, further suggesting, in agreement with the multiple control measurements performed at the start of the experiment, that the positive effect of CM treatment on oxidative metabolism was not the result of any experimental limitation.
It is still debated whether the kinetics of PCr recovery are monoexponential or biexponential. We chose to use a widely reported and accepted method using all data points27 and assuming that the recovery is monoexponential. Alternatively, assuming a biexponential model, some authors have used a semilog model using the first few points recorded after the end of exercise.28 We tested the two methods on our data (results not shown) and checked that they gave similar results—that is, an improvement in muscle oxidative function associated with CM treatment.
Several variables measured during exercise and recovery indicated improved oxidative metabolism after CM treatment, whereas no effect on resting variables was observed. The absence of a placebo control group meant that we could not eliminate a placebo effect, which would have to be addressed by a double blinded placebo versus control trial. However, this should be less of a problem than it may seem, given the convincing changes and stability of the measurements before treatment.
The reduction in pH/power measured at the end of exercise probably accounts for the decreased rate of anaerobic ATP production. Cytosolic pH changes in skeletal muscle partly reflect anaerobic ATP production, but are also modulated by PCr breakdown, proton efflux, and buffering components. We did not observe any changes in the amount of PCr used, the cytosolic buffering capacity, or kinetics of pH recovery associated with the reduction in pH/power, indicating that, for a given work rate, these limited pH changes reflect a reduced contribution of glycogenolysis to ATP production. Accordingly, pH measured at the end of exercise during CM treatment was no different from before and after treatment, whereas the work rate increased significantly. This improvement is further illustrated by the shift towards a higher work output (fig 3). It was observed even though the same load was lifted during exercise, and it can be associated with increased tolerance to exercise during CM treatment. Also, as the relation between mechanical performance and energy expenditure remained constant throughout the protocol, this decrease in anaerobic ATP production must be associated with increased ATP production from another pathway. In fact, significantly more aerobically produced ATP was measured during CM treatment, further confirming the transient enhancement of the oxidative processes.
It has been shown that, assuming allosteric control of aerobic ATP production by ADP, the rate of oxidative ATP production measured at the end of exercise should be similar to the rate of [PCr] recovery.10 In agreement with this, we measured an acceleration of the rate of [PCr] recovery after exercise during CM treatment. This improvement further confirms the increased aerobic ATP production associated with CM treatment. Indices of [PCr] recovery have proved to be sensitive to changes in aerobic capacity resulting from training27 or muscle disorders.14,16 The rate of [PCr] recovery can also be modulated by oxygen availability29 and pH reached at the end of exercise.9 Also, it has been shown in animal experiments that the kinetics of [PCr] recovery may be influenced by changes in mitochondrial content.30 In our study, because of the time scale, the increased aerobic ATP production is probably due to a change in mitochondrial function, as previously reported under conditions of hyperoxia.29 In addition, the increase in work rate recorded during exercise cannot account for the improvement in mitochondrial function, considering that it has been widely reported that neither the work output10 nor the amount of PCr consumed29 affects the kinetics of [PCr] recovery. Hence, diet supplementation with CM enhances the capacity of muscle to produce ATP aerobically.
Citrulline is involved in the urea cycle and allows detoxification of ammonia. In comparison with placebo, it has been shown that treatment with CM led to a significant increase in levels of bicarbonate, ornithine, arginine, and citrulline.5 Previous investigations of the metabolic effects of CM on whole body measurements have shown an increased rate of ammonia clearance with no effect on the extent of accumulation during bicycle exercise.3 This faster clearance has been interpreted as a direct effect of citrulline. In our case, it is unlikely that citrulline affects aerobic ATP production. It is more likely that malate, a TCA intermediate, affects aerobic ATP production through anaplerotic reactions. Malate is dehydrogenated in the TCA cycle to oxaloacetate, the concentration of which is one of the most critical controls of the rate of aerobic ATP production. Also, it is transported through the inner mitochondrial membrane by a dicarboxylate transport system. Five of the eight TCA intermediates, including malate, are known to take part in ancillary reactions that can alter the concentrations of TCA intermediates, thereby affecting fluxes into and out the TCA cycle.31
Studies on heart muscle have shown that the anaplerotic flux of carbon into the TCA cycle is a normal part of cellular metabolism. Although less information is available for skeletal muscle, it is likely that anaplerosis plays a similar role in this tissue and functions to replenish the pool of TCA intermediates after their removal from the cycle.31 Previous studies in humans and animals have shown that the total pool in skeletal muscle increases severalfold very quickly at the onset of contraction.32 Of the TCA intermediates, malate shows the largest relative and absolute change during exercise, typically accounting for 350% of the net increase in total pool size.33,34 It has been suggested that this increase in TCA intermediates is required to attain high rates of ATP production through the TCA cycle.33,35 This increase in TCA intermediates would augment the overall rate of TCA cycle flux by substrate activation of other near equilibrium reactions such as the dehydrogenation of malate to oxaloacetate catalysed by malate dehydrogenase. Interestingly, the anaplerotic flux of carbon into the TCA cycle clearly exceeds the removal of TCA intermediates at the onset of exercise, whereas the process is reversed when exercise is prolonged.31 In keeping with the stimulating effect of TCA intermediates on the overall TCA flux, several authors have suggested that, in the absence of TCA intermediate increase, the flux through the TCA cycle would decrease, thereby accounting for, at least in part, the development of local muscle fatigue.33,35 The expansion of the TCA intermediate pool can therefore be regarded as a means of attaining higher rates of aerobic energy production, in agreement with our results showing that malate supplementation promotes a greater contribution of aerobic ATP production to total energy production. These results suggest that this hyperactivation of aerobic ATP production coupled to a reduction in anaerobic energy supply may contribute to the reduction in fatigue sensation reported by the subjects
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Hochachka PW, Mommsen TP. Protons and anaerobiosis. Science 1983;219:1391–7.[Medline]
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Vialettes B, Paquisfluckinger V, Silvestreaillaud P, et al. Extra-pancreatic manifestations in diabetes secondary to mitochondrial DNA point mutation within the tRNA(Leu(Uur)) gene. Diabetes Care 1995;18:1023–8.[Abstract]
Boska M. Estimating the ATP cost of force production in the human gastrocnemius/soleus muscle group using 31P MRS and 1H MRI. NMR Biomed 1991;4:173–81.[Medline]
Analysis of the Activity of Stimolฎ, Double Blind Trial on Fatigue.
F. Commandre. La Vie Medicale, April 3,l978.
Assessment of the efficacy of an antifatigue medicine is possible only by use of a meticulous methodological approach. It was with this in mind that the study reported here was undertaken, its objective being to evaluate the antifatigue activity of Stimolฎ by comparing it with a placebo. Stimolฎ, or citrulline malate is supplied in the form of 10 ml oral ampoules, prescribed at the dose of 3 per day for two weeks. The active ingredients are DL-malic acid and L-Citrulline (20g/100 ml). The cohort treated in this double blind study trial included 39 patients of both genders with a mean age of around 66 years. Dosage composed of 6 grams daily for 2 weeks. Fatigue in these patients was very markedly improved by Stimolฎ. Evidence was found of a statistically significant (P<.02) difference between the two groups with a 75% success rate for the active substance compared to 36.8% effectiveness for the placebo.
Evaluation of Stimolฎ In The Treatment Of Surgical Patient Fatigue
J. Taillade, Biocodex Laboratories, Paris France
Whatever the operation involved, surgery puts a patient under considerable stress: There is an element of psychological assault, with anguish, distress and insomnia, but there is also the physical assault of the act of surgery itself and the specific illness surrounding it, which is distinct from the underlying pathology being treated. Thus “the fact that a patient is tired after surgery, and that his or her tiredness is proportional to the surgery he or she has undergone, has long been accepted by the general public, and indeed is the justification invoked for post-operative rest.” There may be many causes of post-operative fatigue, but it is certain that the stress involved produces an increased and profound disturbance in catabolism: thus abnormalities in glucose breakdown have been demonstrated after surgery, with an accumulation of toxic metabolites such as pyruvate and lactate. Citrulline malate (Stimolฎ) is indicated in the treatment of physical fatigue, based on evidence from a number of studies, including several controlled trials. Malate conditions the recycling of lactate and pyruvate, while taking part, via its position in the tricarboxylic cycle, in the supply of immediately available energy. The citrulline fraction takes part in the elimination of the amino acid breakdown products of protein metabolism.
Activity of Citrulline Malate on Acid-Base Balance and Blood Ammonia and Amino Acid Levels Study In The Animal And In Man
A. Callis, B. Magnan de Bornier, J.J. Serrano, H. Bellet, and R. Saumade
An experimental evaluation of citrulline malate (Stimolฎ) CAS 54940-97, an antifatigue compound, was undertaken in man and in animal to study the pharmacological activity of the substance at hepatic and renal level. In man, the protocol involved a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over technique.
The study in the animal was blind and placebo-controlled with two randomized parallel groups. Results showed that citrulline malate stimulates hepatic ureogenesis and favors the renal reabsorption of bicarbonates. These metabolic actions had a protective effect against acidosis and ammonia poisoning and explain the antifatigue properties of citrulline malate in man.
I have posted the complete study by Bendahan et al. - ABSTRACT CONTAINS CONDENSED VERSION
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle
D Bendahan1, J P Mattei1, B Ghattas2, S Confort-Gouny1, M E Le Guern3 and 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:
Professor Cozzone, Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale, UMR CNRS 6612, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, 27, Bd J Moulin, 13005 Marseille France;
[email protected]
Accepted 15 February 2002
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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.
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Keywords: 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy; anaplerosis; fatigue; energetics; skeletal muscle
Abbreviations: CM, citrulline/malate; TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle; MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopy; PCr, phosphocreatine; EC, energy cost
Citrulline/malate (CM; Stimol; CAS 54940-97-5) is a mixture of citrulline, which is involved in the urea cycle, and malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediate. It is usually prescribed as an antiasthenic treatment. Previous studies in humans and rats have indicated that CM treatment improves muscle performance of subjects suffering from asthenia. Several double blinded versus placebo clinical investigations have clearly shown an antiasthenic effect of CM under various conditions of fatigue.1,2 From a systemic point of view, measurements of lactate and ammonia performed during and after bicycle exercise have shown increased rates of clearance from the blood after exercise3,4 as the result of CM treatment, and an effect on acid-base balance has been reported at hepatic and renal levels.5 Experiments using cellular models have suggested an action of CM on lactate metabolism.6 Clinically, CM treatment has been shown to improve recovery of physical activity after acute diseases.1 Although all these results indicate potential effects of CM on muscle performance, the actual effect remains unknown. In a study of muscle fatigue induced by bacterial endotoxins in a rat model, it has been shown that mechanical characteristics—that is, resistance to fatigue—improved after CM treatment. This beneficial effect has been hypothetically linked to nitric oxide synthesis through the production of citrulline.731P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is now well established as a non-invasive method for measuring metabolic changes before, during, and after muscular exercise. It provides kinetic information on high energy phosphate compounds and intracellular pH and has been used to document normal muscle metabolism,8–11 metabolic effects of training,12,13 and metabolic deviations in various metabolic myopathies.14–16 The purpose of our study was to document directly the effect of CM, if any, on muscle energetics in humans by using 31P MRS.
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Approach to the problem
The antiasthenic effect of CM, which has been widely reported in humans and animals,1–7 may be mediated by either citrulline or malate or both. Acceleration of the clearance of plasma ammonium and lactate in humans has been linked to the role of citrulline in the urea cycle. On the other hand, malate, an intermediate of the TCA cycle, may be involved in the beneficial effects on recovery from physical fatigue in humans. In this study, we hypothesised that the antiasthenic effects of CM may be due to changes affecting muscle energetics. These potential changes are amenable to measurement by 31P MRS, a non-invasive technique allowing continuous measurement of high energy phosphate compounds and pH during transition from rest to exercise and during the recovery period. Ultimately, this method provides quantitative information on the contributions of aerobic and anaerobic pathways to energy production, which may be affected by CM supplementation. To test our hypothesis, we investigated muscle energetics in subjects in an acute phase of fatigue. Subjects were selected according to CM prescription—that is, if they complained of fatigue but with no documented disease. Clinical examination, electrocardiography, and blood tests were performed to eliminate any disease that could account, directly or indirectly, for the fatigue.
Subjects
Eighteen sedentary male subjects (mean (SD) age 31.1 (9.2)) who complained of fatigue were enrolled in the study. Fatigue was characterised as described by Mac Nelley17 and by visual analogue scales.18 Mean (SD) height and weight were respectively 177.6 (4.6) cm and 72.7 (10.6) kg. Mean (SD) scores were 6 (0.9) and 49 (15) for Mac Nelley and visual analogue scales respectively. Before inclusion, all subjects gave their informed written consent, and health status was assessed from medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. None of the subjects were taking any medication at the time of the study, and they did not suffer from any diseases. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Timone Hospital in Marseille.
31P MRS
31P MRS exploration of finger flexor muscles was carried out as previously described using a Bruker 47/30 Biospec spectrometer interfaced with a 30 cm bore, 4.7 T horizontal superconducting magnet.19 The protocol was explained in detail to each patient before the exploration. Subjects sat on a chair by the magnet with their dominant arm resting in the magnet bore. To ensure good venous return, the forearm was placed at about the same height as the shoulder. Magnetic field homogeneity was optimised by monitoring the signal from the water and lipid protons at 200.14 MHz. Pulsing conditions (1.8 second interpulse delay, 120 &µs pulse length) were chosen to optimise the 31P MRS signal obtained with a 50 mm diameter, double tuned surface coil positioned over the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. Spectra were time averaged over one minute (32 scans) and sequentially recorded over three minutes of rest, three minutes of exercise, and 20 minutes of recovery. Exercise consisted of finger flexions performed at 1.5 second intervals lifting a 6 kg weight as described previously.9 All subjects were able to complete the exercise. The three minute exercise duration and intensity were chosen to ensure appreciable decreases in pH and phosphocreatine (PCr) in all subjects and the completion of the protocol. The sliding of the weight was recorded using a displacement transducer connected to a personal computer. Force was measured using ATS software (Sysma, France), and power output was calculated for each minute of exercise. This protocol was repeated twice before (D-7 and D0), three times during (D3, D8, D15), and once after (D22) oral administration of CM. The dose was two ampoules (1 g CM per ampoule) three times a day for 15 days (from D1 to D15). CM was provided by Biocodex (Montrouge, France). The concentrations of citrulline and malate in each ampoule were 5.5 and 4.7 g/100 ml respectively. The purity of the product was greater than 99%. Resource and time constraints meant that 18 subjects (108 separate experiments) were the most we could recruit.
Data analysis
Raw MRS signals were transferred to an IBM RISC 6000 workstation and processed using the NMR1 spectroscopy software (New Methods Research Inc, Syracuse, New York, USA). Fourier transform and deconvolution of free induction decays corresponding to a line broadening of 15 Hz were then performed. Baseline correction was obtained with baseline deconvolution using computer estimated filter size and flattening factors.20 The area of each resonance was measured by curve fitting of the spectrum to Lorentzian lines. Concentrations of PCr, inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP, and phosphomonoesters were calculated. Values were corrected for differential magnetic saturation and expressed as absolute concentrations relative to the ATP concentration found at rest in muscle biopsy specimens (8.2 mmol/l intracellular water (mM)).21 Free cytosolic ADP concentration was calculated from the creatine kinase equilibrium, assuming a total creatine content of 42.5 mM, which is usually reported for muscle biopsy specimens.8 Intracellular pH was calculated from the chemical shift of Pi relative to PCr.22
As a standardisation procedure, the magnitude of changes in [PCr] and pH measured at the end of exercise were scaled to power output and referred to as [PCr]/power and pH/power respectively. Taking into account all the data points, the rate of PCr resynthesis during the recovery period was fitted to a first order exponential equation as follows:
((1))
where t is time, and [PCr]rest and [PCr]cons respectively indicate concentration of PCr at rest and extent of PCr consumed at end of exercise. The rate constant (k) is expressed in min-1. The initial rate of PCr resynthesis was calculated as the product of k and [PCr]cons resulting from the time zero derivative of equation (1).23
Quantitative analysis of metabolic changes
Rates of aerobic and anaerobic ATP production were calculated in exercising muscle as originally described by Kemp et al.24 Briefly, the energy cost (EC) of contraction was calculated at the onset of exercise, the oxidative contribution being regarded as negligible at that time.10 Rates of glycogenolytic ATP production were calculated taking into account changes in [PCr] and pH during exercise, in addition to buffering capacity25 and proton efflux.26 Assuming that EC remains proportional to power output throughout the exercise period, rates of aerobic ATP production can be calculated at any time during exercise as the difference between EC and anaerobic ATP production scaled to power output.24
Statistical analysis
The General Linear Models procedure of the SAS software (options REPEATED, LSMEANS, and CONTRAST) was used to perform an analysis of variance.
For variables measured during exercise (therefore changing with time) such as metabolite concentration, pH, power output, and rates of ATP production, two way analysis of variance with repeated measures (repeated factors being exercise and treatment duration) were used. Wilk's tests were performed to analyse the effects of exercise duration and the interaction between exercise and treatment duration. Post hoc repeated comparisons (Scheffe's contrasts) were performed to test specific hypotheses.
For rates of recovery of [PCr] and pH, one way analysis of variance with repeated measures (repeated factor being treatment duration) was used. F tests were performed to determine the overall effect of treatment duration on the recovery kinetics. Then, multiple comparison procedures (Scheffe's contrasts) were used to compare each value with the corresponding value measured before and after the treatment. p<0.05 was considered significant. Homogeneity of variances and normality of residuals were checked using Levene's test, an option of General Linear Models for homogeneity of stack variances and normality of residuals. When considering repeated measurements, analysis of variance type methods are the only appropriate statistical methods. Given that variance of each measurement is taken into account, these methods are usually more powerful than simple t tests, which are actually not reliable for multiple repeated measurements.
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Metabolic changes and reproducibility of results
Table 1 summarises intracellular metabolite concentrations and pH calculated at rest; they do not differ from results reported previously.8 Figure 1 shows metabolic changes recorded during the rest-exercise-recovery protocols and before the treatment. Clearly, no significant changes were observed between the two measurements performed a week apart before the treatment. Exercise led to PCr consumption as a result of ATP hydrolysis by the myosin ATPases, illustrating the buffering effect of PCr on ATP concentration (fig 1A). Cytosolic pH changes (fig 1B) reflect the balance between protons produced by glycogenolysis, consumed through the creatine kinase equilibrium, and handled by buffering components and transporters. A transient acidosis was observed at the onset of recovery as a result of proton production through the creatine kinase equilibrium. Recovery kinetics of PCr and pH remained similar before the treatment period (fig 1A,B). Rates of anaerobic ATP production were calculated taking account of changes in [PCr] and pH (fig 1C,D). As for changes in [PCr] and pH, no variation was measured between rates calculated at D-7 and D0. The overall rate of ATP turnover during exercise remained the same at D-7 and D0, showing a constant proportionality between energy production and mechanical performance between the two measurements (table 1). Similarly, the initial rate of PCr hydrolysis measured at the beginning of exercise, the final muscle energetic status after the three minute exercise, and the magnitude of metabolic changes scaled to power output were all identical at D-7 and D0 (table 1 and fig 1).
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Table 1 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy variables measured before treatment with citrulline/malate (D-7 and D0)
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Figure 1 Time dependent changes in phosphocreatine (PCr) concentration (A) and pH (B) during the rest-exercise-recovery protocol. Shaded area represents the three minute exercise. Rate of ATP production from PCr hydrolysis (C) and from glycogenolysis (D) during the exercise period. Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE.
Metabolic effects of treatment
No adverse reactions to CM treatment were reported by the volunteers or observed by the doctors monitoring the clinical trial. The variables measured at rest, including [PCr] and pH, were similar during and after treatment, suggesting no effect of treatment on muscle energetic status at rest (table 2). Considering the group as a whole, work rate measured during the three minute exercise test remained constant during CM treatment, and the total rate of energy turnover did not change, indicating a constant proportionality between the rate of ATP consumption and mechanical output (table 2). Similarly, the rate of ATP production from PCr hydrolysis was constant throughout the treatment (fig 2A). In contrast, a 34% increase in the rate of aerobic ATP production was observed, reaching a maximum after three days of treatment and then slowly returning to the pretreatment value (fig 2B). However, this 34% increase was not significant, although very close to the set threshold. The concentration of ADP, which is known to be the driving force of oxidative ATP synthesis, was not affected by CM treatment. Figure 3 shows the changes in [PCr] and pH measured throughout the experimental protocol and related to work output. Both variables decreased with increasing work output, and a shift towards higher values of work output for a given value of either [PCr] or pH was measured mainly at the end of exercise. Also, a 20% increase was observed for the rate of [PCr] recovery, indicating more rapid aerobic ATP production at D8 than before treatment. Overall, a reduction in fatigue sensation was reported by all the subjects. On both scales, the effect was maximum after 15 days of treatment.
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Table 2 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy variables measured before, during, and after treatment with citrulline/malate
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Figure 2 Time dependent changes in the rate of ATP production from phosphocreatine (PCr) hydrolysis (A) and the aerobic pathway (B) expressed as percentage of energy cost (%EC). Evolution of the initial rate of PCr resynthesis (C) during the protocol. Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE.
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Figure 3 Changes in (A) phosphocreatine concentration ([PCr]) and (B) pH recorded as a function of work output during exercise. Error bars were omitted for the sake of clarity. A shift towards higher values of work output for both variables during treatment with citrulline/malate indicates an improvement in muscle performance.
Looking at the data individually, a large heterogeneity was observed among the subjects, who displayed extrema after either eight or 15 days of treatment. This chronological heterogeneity of individual responses during CM treatment may prevent statistical significance from being reached for the whole group. In other words, because the chronological responses to the treatment differed among subjects, comparative analysis of the average values of a given variable on a given day may not be appropriate. Extrema of some variables, referring to maxima or minima between D8 and D15, were therefore calculated and compared, using a one way analysis of variance, with extrema measured before and after the treatment. The new occurrences were identified as "before" (corresponding to the extrema measured among two measurements before the treatment period), "during" (corresponding to the extrema measured among two measurements, D8 and D15, throughout the treatment period), and "after" (corresponding to measurement performed after the treatment period).
Overall, the results showed no treatment induced changes in the variables measured at rest and at the onset of exercise, indicating that neither the energetic status of the muscle nor the total rate of ATP turnover were modified after CM administration (table 2). In contrast, a significant decrease was measured for pH/power (fig 3 and table 2). Also, significantly more aerobically produced ATP was measured during CM treatment (fig 4 and table 2), indicating a transient enhancement of oxidative processes, as suggested by the initial statistical analysis. Further, the kinetics of [PCr] recovery after exercise were significantly faster after treatment (fig 4, table 2), illustrating the positive effect of CM on aerobic metabolism.
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Figure 4 Changes in variables measured before, during, and after the treatment period (see text for definition). (A) pH/power refers to the pH changes recorded at end of the exercise period and scaled to the power output. (B) Initial rate of phosphocreatine (PCr) resynthesis (Virec) measured during the initial recovery period. (C) Changes in the rate of oxidative ATP production measured before, during, and after the treatment period expressed as percentage of energy cost (%EC). Results are presented as means with error bars representing 1 SE. The asterisk indicates a significant difference compared with the measurements performed before (p1) and after (p2) the treatment period. Details on measurements performed before, during, and after treatment are specified in the text.
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The main results of this study indicate that CM treatment results in a larger contribution of aerobic pathways to global energy production. This result must be analysed in the light of the high reproducibility and stability of metabolic indices recorded one week and one day before treatment. The stability of these measurements reflects the reliability of the method and the absence of a learning effect from repetition of the protocol. Given the stability and reproducibility of the measurements, no placebo control group was used.
Methodological considerations
Considering the spatial selectivity of MRS measurements performed with a surface coil, one could argue that the metabolic changes may be recorded from a mixture of activated and inactivated muscles, thereby limiting the relation between mechanical output and metabolic changes. Using T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging experiments, we have previously shown, in agreement with others, that finger flexions using the four fingers (as in this experiment) is mainly associated with activation of the finger flexors (profundus and superficialis). Considering the size of our coil (5 cm), it is likely that metabolic changes were recorded from all the muscles producing force. Furthermore, if metabolic changes had been recorded from a mixture of activated and inactivated muscles, we would have observed a split Pi resonance on the spectra because of various extents of acidosis in each muscle compartment. This was never the case, further suggesting, in agreement with the multiple control measurements performed at the start of the experiment, that the positive effect of CM treatment on oxidative metabolism was not the result of any experimental limitation.
It is still debated whether the kinetics of PCr recovery are monoexponential or biexponential. We chose to use a widely reported and accepted method using all data points27 and assuming that the recovery is monoexponential. Alternatively, assuming a biexponential model, some authors have used a semilog model using the first few points recorded after the end of exercise.28 We tested the two methods on our data (results not shown) and checked that they gave similar results—that is, an improvement in muscle oxidative function associated with CM treatment.
Several variables measured during exercise and recovery indicated improved oxidative metabolism after CM treatment, whereas no effect on resting variables was observed. The absence of a placebo control group meant that we could not eliminate a placebo effect, which would have to be addressed by a double blinded placebo versus control trial. However, this should be less of a problem than it may seem, given the convincing changes and stability of the measurements before treatment.
The reduction in pH/power measured at the end of exercise probably accounts for the decreased rate of anaerobic ATP production. Cytosolic pH changes in skeletal muscle partly reflect anaerobic ATP production, but are also modulated by PCr breakdown, proton efflux, and buffering components. We did not observe any changes in the amount of PCr used, the cytosolic buffering capacity, or kinetics of pH recovery associated with the reduction in pH/power, indicating that, for a given work rate, these limited pH changes reflect a reduced contribution of glycogenolysis to ATP production. Accordingly, pH measured at the end of exercise during CM treatment was no different from before and after treatment, whereas the work rate increased significantly. This improvement is further illustrated by the shift towards a higher work output (fig 3). It was observed even though the same load was lifted during exercise, and it can be associated with increased tolerance to exercise during CM treatment. Also, as the relation between mechanical performance and energy expenditure remained constant throughout the protocol, this decrease in anaerobic ATP production must be associated with increased ATP production from another pathway. In fact, significantly more aerobically produced ATP was measured during CM treatment, further confirming the transient enhancement of the oxidative processes.
It has been shown that, assuming allosteric control of aerobic ATP production by ADP, the rate of oxidative ATP production measured at the end of exercise should be similar to the rate of [PCr] recovery.10 In agreement with this, we measured an acceleration of the rate of [PCr] recovery after exercise during CM treatment. This improvement further confirms the increased aerobic ATP production associated with CM treatment. Indices of [PCr] recovery have proved to be sensitive to changes in aerobic capacity resulting from training27 or muscle disorders.14,16 The rate of [PCr] recovery can also be modulated by oxygen availability29 and pH reached at the end of exercise.9 Also, it has been shown in animal experiments that the kinetics of [PCr] recovery may be influenced by changes in mitochondrial content.30 In our study, because of the time scale, the increased aerobic ATP production is probably due to a change in mitochondrial function, as previously reported under conditions of hyperoxia.29 In addition, the increase in work rate recorded during exercise cannot account for the improvement in mitochondrial function, considering that it has been widely reported that neither the work output10 nor the amount of PCr consumed29 affects the kinetics of [PCr] recovery. Hence, diet supplementation with CM enhances the capacity of muscle to produce ATP aerobically.
Citrulline is involved in the urea cycle and allows detoxification of ammonia. In comparison with placebo, it has been shown that treatment with CM led to a significant increase in levels of bicarbonate, ornithine, arginine, and citrulline.5 Previous investigations of the metabolic effects of CM on whole body measurements have shown an increased rate of ammonia clearance with no effect on the extent of accumulation during bicycle exercise.3 This faster clearance has been interpreted as a direct effect of citrulline. In our case, it is unlikely that citrulline affects aerobic ATP production. It is more likely that malate, a TCA intermediate, affects aerobic ATP production through anaplerotic reactions. Malate is dehydrogenated in the TCA cycle to oxaloacetate, the concentration of which is one of the most critical controls of the rate of aerobic ATP production. Also, it is transported through the inner mitochondrial membrane by a dicarboxylate transport system. Five of the eight TCA intermediates, including malate, are known to take part in ancillary reactions that can alter the concentrations of TCA intermediates, thereby affecting fluxes into and out the TCA cycle.31
Studies on heart muscle have shown that the anaplerotic flux of carbon into the TCA cycle is a normal part of cellular metabolism. Although less information is available for skeletal muscle, it is likely that anaplerosis plays a similar role in this tissue and functions to replenish the pool of TCA intermediates after their removal from the cycle.31 Previous studies in humans and animals have shown that the total pool in skeletal muscle increases severalfold very quickly at the onset of contraction.32 Of the TCA intermediates, malate shows the largest relative and absolute change during exercise, typically accounting for 350% of the net increase in total pool size.33,34 It has been suggested that this increase in TCA intermediates is required to attain high rates of ATP production through the TCA cycle.33,35 This increase in TCA intermediates would augment the overall rate of TCA cycle flux by substrate activation of other near equilibrium reactions such as the dehydrogenation of malate to oxaloacetate catalysed by malate dehydrogenase. Interestingly, the anaplerotic flux of carbon into the TCA cycle clearly exceeds the removal of TCA intermediates at the onset of exercise, whereas the process is reversed when exercise is prolonged.31 In keeping with the stimulating effect of TCA intermediates on the overall TCA flux, several authors have suggested that, in the absence of TCA intermediate increase, the flux through the TCA cycle would decrease, thereby accounting for, at least in part, the development of local muscle fatigue.33,35 The expansion of the TCA intermediate pool can therefore be regarded as a means of attaining higher rates of aerobic energy production, in agreement with our results showing that malate supplementation promotes a greater contribution of aerobic ATP production to total energy production. These results suggest that this hyperactivation of aerobic ATP production coupled to a reduction in anaerobic energy supply may contribute to the reduction in fatigue sensation reported by the subjects
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Analysis of the Activity of Stimolฎ, Double Blind Trial on Fatigue.
F. Commandre. La Vie Medicale, April 3,l978.
Assessment of the efficacy of an antifatigue medicine is possible only by use of a meticulous methodological approach. It was with this in mind that the study reported here was undertaken, its objective being to evaluate the antifatigue activity of Stimolฎ by comparing it with a placebo. Stimolฎ, or citrulline malate is supplied in the form of 10 ml oral ampoules, prescribed at the dose of 3 per day for two weeks. The active ingredients are DL-malic acid and L-Citrulline (20g/100 ml). The cohort treated in this double blind study trial included 39 patients of both genders with a mean age of around 66 years. Dosage composed of 6 grams daily for 2 weeks. Fatigue in these patients was very markedly improved by Stimolฎ. Evidence was found of a statistically significant (P<.02) difference between the two groups with a 75% success rate for the active substance compared to 36.8% effectiveness for the placebo.
Evaluation of Stimolฎ In The Treatment Of Surgical Patient Fatigue
J. Taillade, Biocodex Laboratories, Paris France
Whatever the operation involved, surgery puts a patient under considerable stress: There is an element of psychological assault, with anguish, distress and insomnia, but there is also the physical assault of the act of surgery itself and the specific illness surrounding it, which is distinct from the underlying pathology being treated. Thus “the fact that a patient is tired after surgery, and that his or her tiredness is proportional to the surgery he or she has undergone, has long been accepted by the general public, and indeed is the justification invoked for post-operative rest.” There may be many causes of post-operative fatigue, but it is certain that the stress involved produces an increased and profound disturbance in catabolism: thus abnormalities in glucose breakdown have been demonstrated after surgery, with an accumulation of toxic metabolites such as pyruvate and lactate. Citrulline malate (Stimolฎ) is indicated in the treatment of physical fatigue, based on evidence from a number of studies, including several controlled trials. Malate conditions the recycling of lactate and pyruvate, while taking part, via its position in the tricarboxylic cycle, in the supply of immediately available energy. The citrulline fraction takes part in the elimination of the amino acid breakdown products of protein metabolism.
Activity of Citrulline Malate on Acid-Base Balance and Blood Ammonia and Amino Acid Levels Study In The Animal And In Man
A. Callis, B. Magnan de Bornier, J.J. Serrano, H. Bellet, and R. Saumade
An experimental evaluation of citrulline malate (Stimolฎ) CAS 54940-97, an antifatigue compound, was undertaken in man and in animal to study the pharmacological activity of the substance at hepatic and renal level. In man, the protocol involved a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over technique.
The study in the animal was blind and placebo-controlled with two randomized parallel groups. Results showed that citrulline malate stimulates hepatic ureogenesis and favors the renal reabsorption of bicarbonates. These metabolic actions had a protective effect against acidosis and ammonia poisoning and explain the antifatigue properties of citrulline malate in man.
