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NO: a key player in microbiome dynamics and cancer pathogenesis
Seyedeh Kimia Jasemi1,2, Hossein Faridafshar2,3,4, Mohammed Namiq Amin1,2
1Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|July 11, 2025
Summary
The human oral microbiome converts dietary nitrate into nitric oxide (NO), a molecule crucial for health and disease, including cancer. Understanding this pathway is key for potential therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Nitric oxide biology
- Cancer research
Background:
- The human body hosts a complex microbiome, with the oral cavity containing diverse bacteria, microeukaryotes, archaea, and viruses.
- Dietary nitrate (NO3-) from vegetables is converted to nitric oxide (NO), a vital molecule for vascular, metabolic, and host defense functions.
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays a dual role in cancer, potentially promoting malignancy at low levels and exhibiting anti-tumor effects at high concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the human microbiome, focusing on the oral cavity's role.
- To explore the conversion of dietary nitrate to nitric oxide (NO) via oral bacteria.
- To discuss the implications of nitric oxide (NO) in various cancers and potential treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of human microbiome, dietary nitrate metabolism, and nitric oxide (NO) in health and disease.
- Analysis of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway facilitated by oral bacteria.
- Examination of NO's role in cancer development, angiogenesis, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Oral bacteria are essential for converting dietary nitrate into nitrite and subsequently nitric oxide (NO), enhancing NO bioavailability.
- Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in diverse diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cancer.
- The effect of NO in cancer is context-dependent, with roles in promoting angiogenesis and invasion, as well as potential anti-tumor activity.
Conclusions:
- The human oral microbiome significantly influences the metabolic fate of dietary nitrate, impacting nitric oxide (NO) production and bioavailability.
- Nitric oxide (NO) has a complex and multifaceted role in oncogenesis, necessitating further research for targeted cancer therapies.
- Understanding the interplay between the microbiome, diet, and nitric oxide (NO) pathways offers promising avenues for novel cancer treatment strategies.
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