Explore the vast range of titles available.

A number of vegetables have a high nitrate content which after ingestion can be reduced to nitrite by oral bacteria, and further to vasoprotective NO endogenously. In the present study, two separate randomly controlled, single-blind, cross-over, postprandial studies were performed in normotensive volunteers. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was measured over a 24 h period following consumption of either four doses of beetroot juice (BJ), 0, 100, 250 and 500 g (n 18), or three bread products, control bread (0 g beetroot), red beetroot- and white beetroot-enriched breads (n 14). Total urinary nitrate/nitrite (NOx) was measured at baseline, and at 2, 4 and 24 h post-ingestion. BJ consumption significantly, and in a near dose-dependent manner, lowered systolic BP (SBP, P < 0·01) and diastolic BP (DBP, P < 0·001) over a period of 24 h, compared with water control. Furthermore, bread products enriched with 100 g red or white beetroot lowered SBP and DBP over a period of 24 h (red beetroot-enriched bread, P <0·05), with no statistical differences between the varieties. Total urinary NOx significantly increased following the consumption of 100 g (P < 0·01), 250 g (P <0·001) and 500 g BJ (P <0·001) and after red beetroot-enriched bread ingestion (P <0·05), but did not reach significance for white beetroot-enriched bread compared with the no-beetroot condition. These studies demonstrated significant hypotensive effects of a low dose (100 g) of beetroot which was unaffected by processing or the presence of betacyanins. These data strengthen the evidence for cardioprotective BP-lowering effects of dietary nitrate-rich vegetables.

BACKGROUND Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is fundamental to cardiovascular health. Dietary nitrate and nitrate from endothelial derived NO metabolism provides a significant contribution to the circulating NO pool through the nitrate–nitrite–NO pathway. A critical step in this pathway is the reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the oral microbiota. We aimed to assess the effects of antibacterial mouthwash use on markers of nitrate–nitrite–NO metabolism and blood pressure in treated hypertensive men and women. METHODS Fifteen treated hypertensive men and women (mean age 65 years) were recruited to a randomized controlled cross-over trial. The effects of 3-day use of antibacterial mouthwash on oral nitrate to nitrite reduction, salivary and plasma nitrate and nitrite, plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were compared to control (water). RESULTS Relative to control, 3-day antibacterial mouthwash use resulted in decreased oral nitrate to nitrite reduction (P = 0.02), decreased salivary nitrite (P = 0.01) and increased salivary nitrate (P < 0.001), and there was a trend toward a decrease in plasma nitrite concentration (P = 0.09). Use of antibacterial mouthwash over 3 days also resulted in higher systolic blood pressure (2.3mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.5, 4.0; P = 0.01), but not diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.4) or plasma cGMP (P = 0.7), relative to control. CONCLUSIONS Interruption of the nitrate–nitrite–NO pathway through the use of antibacterial mouthwash was paralleled by a small elevation of systolic blood pressure in treated hypertensive men and women.

Antiseptic mouthwash use is widespread due to its oral health benefits. However, its impact on systemic physiological processes, particularly nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and muscle contractility, is not fully understood. We sought to determine the effects of cetylpyridinium (antibacterial) versus sodium chloride (control) mouthwashes on salivary and breath NO markers and muscle contractile function in healthy young adults. Thirty participants (n = 15/group) completed a randomized, parallel-arm, blinded trial, comparing the two mouthwashes before and after 7 d of treatment. NO bioavailability was inferred via measurement of salivary nitrate (NO 3 − ), nitrite (NO 2 − ), and cyclic guanyl monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations and breath NO level. Contractile function of the knee extensor muscles was determined via isokinetic dynamometry. No changes in salivary NO 3 − , NO 2 − , or cGMP or in breath NO were observed in response to either treatment. However, cetylpyridinium mouthwash reduced the percentage of NO 2 − in saliva (17 ± 10% vs. 25 ± 13%; p = 0.0036). Peak torque at velocities of 0–6.28 rad/s was unaffected by mouthwash use. Calculated maximal knee extensor velocity (Vmax) and power (Pmax) were therefore also unchanged. Cetylpyridinium mouthwash reduces the relative abundance of NO 2 − in the oral cavity but does not significantly diminish overall NO bioavailability or impair muscle contractile function in healthy young adults.

It has been shown that nitrate supplementation can enhance endurance exercise performance. Recent work suggests that nitrate ingestion can also increase intermittent type exercise performance in recreational athletes. We hypothesized that six days of nitrate supplementation can improve high-intensity intermittent type exercise performance in trained soccer players. Thirty-two male soccer players (age: 23 ± 1 years, height: 181 ± 1 m, weight: 77 ± 1 kg, playing experience: 15.2 ± 0.5 years, playing in the first team of a 2nd or 3rd Dutch amateur league club) participated in this randomized, double-blind cross-over study. All subjects participated in two test days in which high-intensity intermittent running performance was assessed using the Yo-Yo IR1 test. Subjects ingested nitrate-rich (140 mL; ~800 mg nitrate/day; BR) or a nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (PLA) for six subsequent days, with at least eight days of wash-out between trials. The distance covered during the Yo-Yo IR1 was the primary outcome measure, while heart rate (HR) was measured continuously throughout the test, and a single blood and saliva sample were collected just prior to the test. Six days of BR ingestion increased plasma and salivary nitrate and nitrite concentrations in comparison to PLA (p < 0.001), and enhanced Yo-Yo IR1 test performance by 3.4 ± 1.3% (from 1574 ± 47 to 1623 ± 48 m; p = 0.027). Mean HR was lower in the BR (172 ± 2) vs. PLA trial (175 ± 2; p = 0.014). Six days of BR ingestion effectively improves high-intensity intermittent type exercise performance in trained soccer players.

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the popularity of beetroot-based dietary supplements, driven by their rich nitrate composition. Several types of beetroot-based dietary supplements can be found in markets worldwide; however, ensuring the safety of dietary supplements is a crucial consideration, as there is limited evidence on their safety, especially for older populations. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a nitrate-rich beetroot extract in older participants taking supplements over 12 weeks. The participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 g daily of beetroot extract or a matching placebo. The safety and tolerability of the supplementation were evaluated as the occurrence of adverse events and anthropometric, biochemical, and hemodynamic parameters were measured. No serious adverse events were reported in any group. Anthropometric, biochemical, and hemodynamic parameter changes between the baseline and the end of the study were not statistically significant in either group. However, interestingly, the group receiving beetroot extract supplementation exhibited a notable increase in plasma nitrate levels (p = 0.076, f = 0.50) and showed a decrease in insulin levels (p = 0.026, f = 0.59). In conclusion, we found that 20 g of beetroot extract supplementation for 12 weeks was safe and well tolerated in older participants.

Background There is no evidence of the use of beetroot juice with a previously recommended dose of nitrate (NO3) (> 300 mg) on the cardiovascular performance during and recovery following exercise in postmenopausal women with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). Methods We will investigate the effects of beetroot juice rich in NO3 acutely (800 mg) and during a week with daily doses (400 mg) on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), cardiac autonomic control, endothelial function, inflammatory, hormonal, and stress biomarkers oxidative stress and enzymes involved in nitric oxide synthesis and mitochondrial regulation, under resting conditions, as well as mediated by submaximal aerobic exercise sessions. Through a randomized, crossover, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 25 physically inactive women with SAH will undergo an acute and 1-week trial, each with two intervention protocols: (1) placebo and (2) beetroot, in which will ingest beet juice with or without NO3 in its composition with a 7-day washout interval. On collection days, exercise will be performed on a treadmill for 40 min at a speed corresponding to 65–70% of VO2peak. The collection of variables (cardiovascular, autonomic, and blood samples for molecular analyses) of the study will take place at rest (135 min after ingestion of the intervention), during exercise (40 min), and in the effort recovery stage (during 60 min) based on previously validated protocols. The collections were arranged so that the measurement of one variable does not interfere with the other and that they have adequate intervals between them. Discussion The results of this research may help in the real understanding of the nutritional compounds capable of generating safety to the cardiovascular system during physical exercise, especially for women who are aging and who have cardiovascular limitations (e.g., arterial hypertension) to perform physical exercise. Therefore, our results will be able to help specific nutritional recommendations to optimize cardiovascular health. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05384340. Registered on May 20, 2022.

Effective treatment of respiratory infections continues to be a major challenge. In high doses (≥160 ppm), inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) has been shown to act as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, including its efficacy in vitro for coronavirus family. However, the safety of prolonged in vivo implementation of high-dose iNO therapy has not been studied. Herein we aim to explore the feasibility and safety of delivering continuous high-dose iNO over an extended period of time using an in vivo animal model. Yorkshire pigs were randomized to one of the following two groups: group 1, standard ventilation; and group 2, standard ventilation + continuous iNO 160 ppm + methylene blue (MB) as intravenous bolus, whenever required, to maintain metHb <6%. Both groups were ventilated continuously for 6 hours, then the animals were weaned from sedation, mechanical ventilation and followed for 3 days. During treatment, and on the third post-operative day, physiologic assessments were performed to monitor lung function and other significative markers were assessed for potential pulmonary or systemic injury. No significant change in lung function, or inflammatory markers were observed during the study period. Both gas exchange function, lung tissue cytokine analysis and histology were similar between treated and control animals. During treatment, levels of metHb were maintained <6% by administration of MB, and NO 2 remained <5 ppm. Additionally, considering extrapulmonary effects, no significant changes were observed in biochemistry markers. Our findings showed that high-dose iNO delivered continuously over 6 hours with adjuvant MB is clinically feasible and safe. These findings support the development of investigations of continuous high-dose iNO treatment of respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2.

Background Nitrate is converted to nitrite in the human body and subsequently can react with amines and amides in the gastrointestinal tract to form N -nitroso compounds (NOCs), which are known to be carcinogenic in animals. Humans can be exposed to nitrate via consumption of drinking water and diet, especially green leafy vegetables and cured meat. The contribution of nitrate from drinking water in combination with meat intake has not been investigated thoroughly. Therefore, in the present pilot study, we examined the effect of nitrate from drinking water, and its interaction with the consumption of white and processed red meat, on the endogenous formation of NOCs, taking into account the intake of vitamin C, a nitrosation inhibitor. Methods Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to two groups consuming either 3.75 g/kg body weight (maximum 300 g per day) processed red meat or unprocessed white meat per day for two weeks. Drinking water nitrate levels were kept low during the first week (< 1.5 mg/L), whereas in week 2, nitrate levels in drinking water were adjusted to the acceptable daily intake level of 3.7 mg/kg bodyweight. At baseline, after 1 and 2 weeks, faeces and 24 h urine samples were collected for analyses of nitrate, apparent total N -nitroso compounds (ATNC), compliance markers, and genotoxic potential in human colonic Caco-2 cells. Results Urinary nitrate excretion was significantly increased during the high drinking water nitrate period for both meat types. Furthermore, levels of compliance markers for meat intake were significantly increased in urine from subjects consuming processed red meat (i.e. 1-Methylhistidine levels), or unprocessed white meat (i.e. 3-Methylhistidine). ATNC levels significantly increased during the high drinking water nitrate period, which was more pronounced in the processed red meat group. Genotoxicity in Caco-2 cells exposed to faecal water resulted in increased genotoxicity after the interventions, but results were only significant in the low drinking water nitrate period in subjects consuming processed red meat. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the ratio of nitrate/vitamin C intake (including drinking water) and the level of ATNC in faecal water of subjects in the processed red meat group, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusions Drinking water nitrate significantly contributed to the endogenous formation of NOC, independent of the meat type consumed. This implies that drinking water nitrate levels should be taken into account when evaluating the effect of meat consumption on endogenous formation of NOC. Trial registration Dutch Trialregister: 29707 . Registered 19th of October 2018. Retrospectively registered.

Citrulline (CIT) and nitrate-rich beetroot extract (BR) are ergogenic aids and nitric oxide (NO) precursors. In addition, both supplements seem to have other actions at the level of muscle metabolism that can benefit strength and aerobic power performance. Both supplements have been studied in numerous investigations in isolation. However, scientific evidence combining both supplements is scarce, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no current study of endurance athletes. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 9 weeks of CIT plus BR supplementation on maximal and endurance-strength performance and aerobic power in male triathletes. This study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where participants (n = 32) were randomized into four different groups: placebo group (PLG; n = 8), CIT plus BR group (CIT- BRG; 3 g/kg/day of CIT plus 3 mg/kg/day of nitrates (NO3−); n = 8), CIT group (CITG; 3 g/kg/day; n = 8) and BR group (BRG; 3 mg/kg/day of NO3−; n = 8). Before (T1) and after 9 weeks (T2), four physical condition tests were carried out in order to assess sport performance: the horizontal jump test (HJUMP), handgrip dynamometer test, 1-min abdominal tests (1-MAT) and finally, the Cooper test. Although, no significant interactions (time × supplementation groups) were found for the strength tests (p > 0.05), the CIT- BRG supplementation presented a trend on HJUMP and 1-MAT tests confirmed by significant increase between two study moments in CIT-BRG. Likewise, CIT-BRG presented significant interactions in the aerobic power test confirmed by this group’s improve estimated VO2max during the study with respect to the other study groups (p = 0.002; η2p = 0.418). In summary, supplementing with 3 g/day of CIT and 2.1 g/day of BR (300 mg/day of NO3−) for 9 weeks could increase maximal and endurance strength. Furthermore, when compared to CIT or BR supplementation alone, this combination improved performance in tests related to aerobic power.

Objectives The objective was to assess the effect of propranolol on oxidative stress and anti-oxidant potential in patients with resistant hypertension as a secondary analysis of the APPROPRIATE trial. This randomized double blinded clinical trial recruited patients with resistant hypertension and allocated forty patients to propranolol and placebo in 1:1 ratio. The pro-oxidant state (nitrate and nitrite) was assessed using modified Griess assay. The total anti-oxidant capacity was measured using ABTS assay. Results Analysis was performed for 18 patients from the propranolol group and 15 from the placebo group. A decline in end point ambulatory blood pressure (p = 0.031) and greater mean reduction in office SBP (29.7 ± 13.0 mmHg, p = 0.021) was noted in the propranolol arm. Nitrate and nitrite levels were lower at the end of a 90 day follow up period in both arms, with a greater mean reduction with propranolol. A significant increase in the AOC was noted in both arms with higher incremental value with Propranolol. The findings of this study do not demonstrate a statistically significant effect of propranolol on the oxidative stress/antioxidant balance in patients with resistant hypertension. The observed trends merit further evaluation.