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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
07:19
Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
Published on: July 29, 2021
Dietary nitrite prevents hypercholesterolemic microvascular inflammation and reverses endothelial dysfunction.
Karen Y Stokes1, Tammy R Dugas, Yaoping Tang
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Univ. of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, 1825 Pressler St., SRB 530B, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Summary
Supplemental nitrite can reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function in mice with high cholesterol. This finding suggests nitrite may be a natural therapy for microvascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Nitrite anion is an endogenous product of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism.
- Hypercholesterolemia induces microvascular inflammation due to reduced NO bioavailability.
- Nitrite exhibits cytoprotective activity and can restore NO homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if supplemental nitrite can attenuate microvascular inflammation in hypercholesterolemia.
- To assess the effects of nitrite on leukocyte adhesion, emigration, and arteriolar function in mice on a high-cholesterol diet.
Main Methods:
- C57Bl/6J mice were fed normal or high-cholesterol diets for 3 weeks.
- Mice received nitrite-free water or supplemental nitrite (33 or 99 mg/l).
- Assessed leukocyte adhesion/emigration and endothelium-dependent relaxation in arterioles.
Main Results:
- High-cholesterol diet increased leukocyte adhesion/emigration and impaired arteriolar function.
- Nitrite administration inhibited leukocyte adhesion/emigration and prevented arteriolar dysfunction.
- Nitrite treatment preserved reduced tetrahydrobiopterin and decreased C-reactive protein levels.
Conclusions:
- Nitrite possesses novel anti-inflammatory properties.
- Supplemental nitrite can mitigate microvascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia.
- Nitrite may serve as a natural therapeutic agent for related conditions.
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