Combined whole-body vibration training and L-citrulline supplementation improves pressure wave reflection in obese postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal women have increased wave reflection (augmentation pressure (AP) and index (Alx)) and reduced muscle function that predispose them to cardiac diseases and disability. Our aim was to examine the combined and independent effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) and kcitnilline supplementation on aortic hemodynamics and plasma nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in postmenopausal women. Forty-one obese postmenopausal women were randomized to 3 groups: WBVT+L-citnilline and WBVT+Placebo for 8 weeks. Brachial and aortic systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, AP, Alx, Alx adjusted to 75 beats/min (Alxg75), and NOx were measured before and after 8 weeks. All groups similarly decreased (P < 0.05) brachial and aortic pressures as well as AP, and similarly increased (P < 0.05) NOx levels. Alx and Alx@75 decreased (P < 0.01) in the WBVT+kcitrulline and WBVT+Placebo groups, but not in the L-citrulline group. The improvement in Alxg75 (-10.5%+/- 8.8%, P < 0.05) in the WBVT+L-citrulline group was significant compared with the kcitrulline group. L-Citrulline supplementation and WBVT alone and combined decreased blood pressures. The combined intervention reduced Alxg75. This study supports the effectiveness of WBVT+L-citrulline as a potential intervention for prevention of hypertension-related cardiac diseases in obese postmenopausal women.