Effects of Oral Citrulline on Protein Metabolism in Patients With Intestinal Failure (Citrugrêle 2)

Effects of Oral Citrulline on Protein Metabolism in Patients With Intestinal Failure : a Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Cross-over Study

The specific aim of this study is to determine whether oral citrulline administration enhances whole body protein synthesis in patients with intestinal failure. Protein metabolism will be assessed using an intravenous infusion of stable isotope labeled leucine. The investigators hypothesize that citrulline supplementation will decrease leucine oxidation without altering proteolysis, and consequently stimulate protein synthesis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult between 18 and 75 years
• Patient with short bowel syndrome
• Patient with an incompetent small intestine after intestinal resection
• Patient fed orally and beyond more than 6 weeks after surgery
• Absence of any earlier supplementation with citrulline, glutamine, ornithine a-ketoglutarate, or stimol®
• No current artificial feeding (parenteral)
• No low-sodium diet- No renal, cardiac, respiratory or hepatic insufficiency
• No chronic inflammatory disease (intestinal or other)
• No current corticosteroid treatment
• Fasting blood glucose below 6mmol/L
• Patient able to understand benefits and risks of protocol
• Women who are of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test and agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception throughout the study and for 15 days following the end of the study
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject not fulfilling inclusion criteria
• Subject mentioned in articles L1121-5 to L1121-8 of "code de la santé publique"
• Pregnancy