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Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Preparation of Rat Skeletal Muscle Homogenates for Nitrate and Nitrite Measurements
Published on: July 29, 2021
n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Are Associated with Stable Nitric Oxide Metabolites in Highly Trained Athletes
Aleksandra Y Lyudinina1, Olga I Parshukova1, Evgeny R Bojko1
1Institute of Physiology, Komi Science Centre, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, FRC Komi SC UB RAS, 50 Pervomayskaya Str., 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia.
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between levels of n-3 essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and stable nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in the plasma of athletes.
Methods:
Highly trained cross-country skiers (males, n = 39) were examined. The fatty acid profile of the total plasma lipids was determined by gas chromatography. The plasma NO level was studied by a colorimetric method via reaction with Griess reagent.
Results:
A widespread deficiency of essential n-3 PUFAs in the plasma of athletes (more than 80% of the subjects) was demonstrated in association with an imbalance in the levels of nitrates (NO3) and nitrites (NO2). A lower value of n-3 linolenic acid in the plasma (0.21 mol/%) was associated with a NO3 level below the normal range (n-3 C18:3 and NO3 Rs = 0.461; p = 0.003). Higher levels of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (0.8 mol/%) were associated with a concentration of NO2 above the normal value (n-3 C20:5 and NO2 Rs = 0.449; p = 0.004).
Conclusion:
For the first time, the participation of essential n-3 PUFAs in the nitrite-nitrate pathway of NO synthesis in highly trained skiers was demonstrated.
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