Citrulline Supplementation Induces Changes in Body Composition and Limits Age-Related Metabolic Changes in Healthy Male Rats.

Background: Aging is associated with profound metabolic disturbances, and citrulline may be of use to limit them.

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the long-term effect of citrulline supplementation on metabolism in healthy aged rats.

Methods: Twenty-month-old male rats were randomly assigned to be fed (ad libitum) for 12 wk with either a citrulline-enriched diet (1 g ⋅ kg(-1) ⋅  d(-1)) or a standard diet [rendered isonitrogenous by addition of nonessential amino acids (NEAAs)].