The Effects of L-citrulline Supplementation on the Athletic Performance, Physiological and Biochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, and Blood Amino Acid and Polyamine Levels in Speed-Racing Yili Horses.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise -citrulline supplementation on the athletic performance of speed-racing horses during a high-intensity exercise. On the 20th day of the experiment, blood samples were collected at 3 h and 6 h post-supplementation to measure the amino acid and polyamine concentrations. On the 38th day of the experiment, the horses participated in a 2000 m speed race, and three distinct blood samples were gathered for assessing blood gases, hematological parameters, the plasma biochemistry, antioxidant parameters, and NO concentrations. The results indicate that the -citrulline group showed a significant increase in the plasma citrulline and arginine concentrations. Conversely, the concentrations of alanine, serine, and threonine were significantly decreased. The glycine concentration decreased significantly, while there was a trend towards an increase in the glutamine concentration. Additionally, the levels of putrescine and spermidine in the plasma of the -citrulline group were significantly increased. In terms of exercise performance, -citrulline can improve the exercise performance of sport horses, significantly reduce the immediate post-race lactate levels in horses, and accelerate the recovery of blood gas levels after an exercise. Furthermore, in the -citrulline group of horses, The levels of the total protein of plasma, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly increased both 2 h before and 2 h after the race. The total antioxidant capacity showed a highly significant increase, while the malondialdehyde content significantly decreased. In the immediate post-race period, the creatinine content in the -citrulline group significantly increased. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that -citrulline supplementation can influence the circulating concentrations of -citrulline and arginine in horses, enhance the antioxidant capacity, reduce lactate levels, and improve physiological and biochemical blood parameters, thereby having a beneficial effect on the exercise performance of athletic horses.
Publication Date: 2024-08-22 PubMed ID: 39199970PubMed Central: PMC11350874DOI: 10.3390/ani14162438Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study investigates the effects of L-citrulline supplementation on the performance of speed-racing horses. It’s found that L-citrulline supplement can improve the horses’ exercise performance, enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce lactate levels, and improve physiological and biochemical blood parameters.
Objective and Methodology
- The intention of this study was to analyze the impact of L-citrulline supplementation before high-intensity exercise on the performance of speed-racing horses.
- On the 20th day of the experiment, blood samples were taken 3 and 6 hours after supplementation to measure the amino acid and polyamine concentrations.
- On the 38th day, the horses participated in a 2000 m speed race. Blood samples were collected to evaluate blood gases, hematological parameters, plasma biochemistry, antioxidant parameters, and NO concentrations.
Results
- The results showed a significant increase in the plasma citrulline and arginine concentrations in the group of horses given the L-citrulline supplement.
- The levels of certain other amino acids – alanine, serine, and threonine – significantly decreased. Glycine levels also fell significantly, while glutamine showed a tendency to increase.
- The concentrations of two polyamines – putrescine and spermidine – increased significantly in the plasma of the L-citrulline group.
- L-citrulline appeared to enhance the athletic performance of the horses. It significantly reduced the horses’ post-race lactate levels (a sign of muscle fatigue) and helped their blood gas levels recover more quickly after exercise.
- In the L-citrulline group, total protein levels in the plasma, superoxide dismutase (an enzyme that helps break down potentially harmful oxygen molecules), catalase (an antioxidant enzyme), and lactate dehydrogenase (an enzyme involved in energy production) were significantly higher both before and after the race.
- This group of horses also showed a highly significant increase in total antioxidant capacity, while their malondialdehyde content (a marker of oxidative stress) decreased significantly.
- The creatinine content in the L-citrulline group increased significantly in the immediate post-race period. Creatinine is a waste product that can build up in the blood as a result of intense exercise.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that L-citrulline supplementation can influence the levels of L-citrulline and arginine in a horse’s bloodstream and can enhance antioxidant capacity.
- It can reduce lactate levels – which may lead to improvement in physiological and biochemical blood parameters – and hence, could have a positive effect on the athletic performance of horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Li P, Sun S, Zhang W, Ouyang W, Li X, Yang K.
(2024).
The Effects of L-citrulline Supplementation on the Athletic Performance, Physiological and Biochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, and Blood Amino Acid and Polyamine Levels in Speed-Racing Yili Horses.
Animals (Basel), 14(16), 2438.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162438 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Zhaosu Racecourse, Yining 835000, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivore Nutrition for Meat & Milk Production, College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
Grant Funding
- 2022A02013-2 and 2022A02013-2-1 / Major Science and Technology Special Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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