Watermelon and Beetroot Products on Endothelial Function

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Status: Completed

Conditions: Older People With Cardiovascular Disease Risk; Healthy Young

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Watermelon + beetroot; Dietary Supplement: Beetroot; Dietary Supplement: Watermelon

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04781595

E-26/202.905/2019

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death worldwide. Endothelial dysfunction is the first step to development of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction occurs due to reduction in nitric oxide, a molecule that plays an important role on vascular health. Due to important role of nitric oxide in endothelial function, several studies have evaluated the effect of its precursors, such as L-citrulline and nitrate on endothelial function parameters. The present study will evaluate the effect of L-citrulline and nitrate derived by watermelon and beetroot products, respectively, on endothelial function of young and older participants. Furthermore, we will evaluate the plasmatic amino acids, nitrate, glucose and insulin in response to ingestion of these products.

Enrollment: 12 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria for healthy young participants:

• Age between 18-35 years;
• Triglycerides ≤ 150 mg/dL
• HDL-cholesterol ≥ 50 mg/dL for women and ≥ 40 mg/dL for men;
• Waist circumference ≤ 102 cm for men and ≤ 88 cm for women).

Inclusion Criteria for older people with cardiovascular risk:

• Age ≥ 60 years;
• Elevated triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL;
• Reduced HDL-cholesterol ≤ 50 mg/dL for women and ≤ 40 mg/dL for men;
• Elevated waist circumference ≥102 cm for men and ≥ 88 cm for women).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL);
• Smoking;
• Beetroot or watermelon allergy;
• Unwillingness to avoid beetroot or watermelon products during the entire study;
• Other chronic diseases (diabetes, liver disease, etc.) or acutely ill

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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12 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Watermelon

Active Comparator group

Description:

Watermelon powder containing 3 g of L-citrulline.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Watermelon

Beetroot

Active Comparator group

Description:

Beetroot powder containing 8 mmol of nitrate.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Beetroot

Watermelon + beetroot

Active Comparator group

Description:

Watermelon powder containing 3 g of L-citrulline and Beetroot powder containing 8 mmol of nitrate.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Watermelon + beetroot

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Maltodextrin

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo