Citrulline

What is citrulline?

Advertised as the miraculous molecule for the treatment of impotence, citrulline is actually a "simple" non-essential alpha-type amino acid. The rather funny name of this molecule derives from the Latin citrullus, what does it mean watermelon: not surprisingly, citrulline was isolated for the first time in watermelon.

Hence the belief that the "watermelon would be the panacea for every male sexual disorder: in this article we will try to clarify the" aphrodisiac "virtues of citrulline, not forgetting, however, that this molecule is an amino acid and, like many others, it is implicated in the Macchiavellico urea cycle and is involved in the immune defenses.

Chemical analysis

Citrulline works mainly in the human metabolic center, the liver.
C6H13N3O3 is the chemical formula by which citrulline is identified, whose IUPAC name is 2-amino-5- (carbamoylamino) pentanoic acid. Although citrulline is a component of some important protein structures (e.g. histones), it is not encoded by any mRNA molecule. In any case, it should be pointed out that in the light of recent studies citrulline seems to originate from the activity of PADs, calcium-dependent intracellular enzymes: histones with traces of citrulline have been identified in cells unable to reproduce.

Citrulline and the urea cycle

As we have seen, citrulline actively participates in the urea cycle: this amino acid is present both in the liver and in the kidney, and promotes the elimination of ammonia. Together with ornithine, citrulline is a precursor of arginine. human, starting from ornithine, carbon monoxide and ammonium, is in fact able to synthesize citrulline (by the action of the enzyme ornithine-transcarbamylase); these amino acids, in combination with aspartic acid, in turn form arginosuccinic acid, which is subsequently transformed into arginine. [adapted from Orthomolecular medicine: a therapy on a human scale, by A. Panfili]

Ornithine + carbon monoxide + ammonium → citrulline + aspartic acid → arginosuccinic acid → arginine

Aphrodisiac molecule

For further information: Citrulline, Arginine and Erectile Dysfunction - Integration of Citrulline in Sports Practice

Media propaganda promotes citrulline as the aphrodisiac amino acid: in fact, part of the truth is there. Citrulline, by dilating blood vessels, promotes erection; moreover, transformed into arginine in the body, it stimulates both the immune and the cardiovascular system, promoting - in the latter case - vasodilation (increase in the availability of nitric oxide) and consequently improving the elasticity of the blood vessels. reason, citrulline is compared to Viagra or Cialis: a good remedy, therefore, for erectile dysfunction.
Citrulline even seems to boast anti-atherosclerotic and blood vessel protective activities, as well as increasing the body's metabolic rate, decreasing muscle fatigue and enhancing aerobic performance. Lastly, citrulline is able to speed up recovery in case of psychophysical stress. .

Anti-citrulline antibodies

Recently an anti-citrulline antibody has been isolated, probably useful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Alongside the traditional diagnostic tests of rheumatoid arthritis - which often, among other things, are unspecific - additional biochemical markers have been identified : among these the anti-citrulline antibody stands out, also called anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide antibody (anti-CCP).
The anti-CCP assay test is an antibody diagnostic test conducted on blood samples from patients potentially suffering from rheumatoid arthritis: the test identifies any antibodies directed against the cyclic-citrullinated peptides, which are abundant in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
It should be pointed out that science has not yet fully defined the profile of these particular antibodies; however, clinical evidence shows that most rheumatoid arthritis patients have anti-citrulline antibodies.
Lymphocyte synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients synthesize anti-citrulline antibodies.

Summary

Citrulline: to fix concepts

Citrulline: etymology From Latin citrullus, what does it mean watermelon: not surprisingly, citrulline was isolated for the first time in watermelon Citrulline: general description Simple non-essential amino acid of the alpha type, involved in the Macchiavellico urea cycle, first of all involved in the functionality of the immune defenses Citrulline and myths Advertised as the miracle molecule for the cure of impotence:
Isolated for the first time in watermelon → watermelon citrulline seems to be the panacea for every male sexual disorder Citrulline: identity card

• Chemical formula: (C6H13N3O3)
• IUPAC name: 2-amino-5- (carbamoylamino) pentanoic acid
• Main function: actively participates in the urea cycle

Citrulline: recent discoveries Citrulline originates from the activity of PADs, calcium-dependent intracellular enzymes Citrulline: urea cycle Ornithine + carbon monoxide + ammonium → citrulline + aspartic acid → arginosuccinic acid → arginine Citrulline and erectile dysfunction Aphrodisiac amino acid, citrulline acts:

• by dilating the blood vessels, it promotes erection
• stimulates both the cardiovascular system → vasodilation
• increased elasticity of the blood vessel wall
• good remedy for erectile dysfunction

Citrulline and other functions

• Anti-atherosclerotic and protective activities of blood vessels
• It increases the metabolic rate of the organism
• Muscle fatigue decreases
• Enhance aerobic performance
• Speed ​​up recovery in case of psychophysical stress

Citrulline and anti-citrulline antibodies Anti-citrulline antibody, also called anti-cyclic citrulline peptide antibody (anti-CCP) → probably useful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis Anti-CCP assay test: antibody diagnostic test carried out on blood samples of patients potentially affected by rheumatoid arthritis Conclusions and clinical evidence: most rheumatoid arthritis patients have anti-citrulline antibodies