Comparing the Effect of one-week supplementation of Citrulline-malate, L-arginine and their combination on growth hormone concentration and metabolic responses in male wrestlers

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of one-week supplementation of citrulline-malate, L-arginine and their combination on growth hormone concentration and metabolic responses in male wrestlers. In this semi-experimental study, 40 male wrestlers (aged 19-25 years; weight 60-90 kg; body fat percent 12-20%) in a randomized and double-blind design were divided in four equal citrulline-malate (Cit; 4g/days), L-arginine (Arg; 4g/days), their combination (2g/days Arg + 2g/days Cit) and placebo (P) groups. Before and after supplementation period, all subjects were participated in a competition like wrestling. Blood samples were obtained in the 4 phases: one hour before and immediately after two competition like wrestling protocols. Plasma growth hormone (GH), glycerol, fat free acid (FFA), and glucose were analyzed. Change any of the parameters (mean and standard deviation) of four stages and between groups is determined by Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measurement and post hoc tests, respectively. The significance level was set at p<0.05. The findings of present study showed that GH and lactate concentration were significantly increased after one week supplementation of arginine, citrulline-malate and combination of citrulline-malate with L-arginine. Also, it can be concluded that the one week citrulline-malate with L-arginine supplementation is more effective than the citrulline-malate or L-arginine supplementation to prevent the exercise-induced decrease in some glucose levels. Therefore, it seems that Cit supplementation week more effectively than L-arginine for exercise induced increased of growth hormone, glycerol, FFA and preventing of decreases glucose levels.