[Salivary and biliary excretion of nitrates in the dog]

The salivary and biliary excretion of nitrates has been studied in dogs. We have administered intravenously [15N] sodium nitrate (51% enrichment) and we have studied its fate in blood, bile and saliva by estimation of NO3-, NO2- and 15N at the time of 0, 30 mn, 1 h and 3 h. This experimentation, made on 9 dogs, indicates a total absence from nitrites in blood, bile and saliva and confirms the existence of biliary excretion of nitrates. Last, the evolution of 15NO3 rates, measured by mass spectrography, indicates that salivary glands produce an important endogenous accumulation of nitrate ion.