Water Dosing for Orthostatic Hypotension

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Satish R. Raj

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 days

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

We are studying the effects of oral water ingestion in patients with orthostatic hypotension. In this study, we are testing the null hypothesis that the blood pressure increase with oral water ingestion will not be diminished if a full prior water dose is given a few hours earlier.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for orthostatic hypotension?

Research shows that watermelon juice, which is rich in citrulline, can increase nitric oxide levels in the body. This increase in nitric oxide can improve blood flow and reduce arterial stiffness, which may help manage symptoms of orthostatic hypotension (a condition where blood pressure drops when standing up). ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is watermelon juice safe for human consumption?

Research shows that watermelon juice, which contains compounds like citrulline and arginine, is generally safe for humans. Studies involving healthy adults and postmenopausal women have not reported any significant safety concerns with its consumption. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How does water dosing differ from other treatments for orthostatic hypotension?

Water dosing for orthostatic hypotension is unique because it involves using water to help manage blood pressure, which is a simple and natural approach compared to medications. Unlike drugs that may target specific pathways, water can quickly increase blood volume and improve blood pressure without the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals. ^{1 2 4 6 9}

Research Team

Satish R Raj, MD MSCI

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-80 with orthostatic hypotension, which means their blood pressure drops significantly when standing up. They should have previously shown a blood pressure increase after drinking water in other studies. Pregnant individuals cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 80 years old.

Your body reacts strongly to drinking water in other research studies.

My blood pressure drops significantly when I stand up.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 1 oz or 16 oz of water in the morning followed by 16 oz of water a few hours later while blood pressure is monitored

2 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Water

Trial Overview The study investigates the effect of two different doses of water on blood pressure in patients with orthostatic hypotension. It aims to determine if the pressor (blood-pressure raising) response to water diminishes when a full dose is taken earlier.

Participant Groups

Group I: 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

16 oz water in AM

Group II: 2 Active Control 1 Intervention

water 1 oz in AM

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Satish R. Raj

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

690+

Findings from Research

Watermelon juice supplementation significantly increased plasma levels of l-citrulline, l-arginine, and nitrite, which are associated with improved nitric oxide bioavailability, but it also raised resting blood pressure compared to control conditions.

Despite the benefits in muscle oxygenation during moderate-intensity exercise, watermelon juice did not enhance time-to-exhaustion during severe-intensity exercise, suggesting it may not be effective for improving endurance performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two weeks of watermelon juice supplementation improves nitric oxide bioavailability but not endurance exercise performance in humans. Bailey, SJ., Blackwell, JR., Williams, E., et al.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two weeks of watermelon juice supplementation improves nitric oxide bioavailability but not endurance exercise performance in humans. [2018]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily 100% watermelon juice consumption and vascular function among postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Wild Watermelon-Extracted Juice Ingestion Reduces Peripheral Arterial Stiffness with an Increase in Nitric Oxide Production: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplemental Watermelon Juice Attenuates Acute Hyperglycemia-Induced Macro-and Microvascular Dysfunction in Healthy Adults. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Elders: The MOXIE Study. [2022]

6. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of microencapsulated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) on storage stability of l-citrulline and dietary nitrate. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of watermelon supplementation on aortic blood pressure and wave reflection in individuals with prehypertension: a pilot study. [2011]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of microencapsulated watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) rind on flow-mediated dilation and tissue oxygen saturation of young adults. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Watermelon extract reduces blood pressure but does not change sympathovagal balance in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. [2017]