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Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
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Dietary nitrate improves vascular function in patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind,
Shanti Velmurugan1, Jasmine Ming Gan1, Krishnaraj S Rathod1
1William Harvey Research Institute, National Institute for Health Research Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 27, 2015
Summary
Dietary nitrate, found in beetroot juice, significantly improved vascular function and reduced platelet-monocyte aggregates in hypercholesterolemic patients over six weeks. These cardiovascular benefits were linked to changes in the oral microbiome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Vegetables' cardiovascular benefits may stem from inorganic nitrate content.
- Dietary nitrate is a promising area for cardiovascular health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) on vascular and platelet function.
- To compare nitrate-rich beetroot juice with a placebo in hypercholesterolemic individuals.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- 69 untreated hypercholesterolemic subjects participated.
- Vascular function was assessed using ultrasound flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).
Main Results:
- Dietary nitrate significantly improved FMD by ~24% compared to placebo.
- A trend towards improved aortic pulse wave velocity was observed with nitrate intake.
- Nitrate intake reduced platelet-monocyte aggregates and stimulated P-selectin expression.
- Salivary microbiome composition was altered by nitrate treatment, with specific bacterial taxa changes.
Conclusions:
- Sustained dietary nitrate intake enhances vascular function in hypercholesterolemic patients.
- Improvements are associated with oral microbiome alterations, particularly nitrate-reducing bacteria.
- Dietary nitrate shows potential as a preventative strategy against atherosclerosis.
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