Effects of sodium nitrite supplementation on vascular function and related small metabolite signatures in middle-aged and older adults

• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00879.2015
• Publication Date: 2015-11-25T22:50:39Z
• Authors: Allison E. DeVan; Lawrence C. Johnson; Forrest A. Brooks; Trent D. Evans; Jamie N. Justice; Charmion Cruicksh...; Nichole Reisdorph; Nathan S. Bryan; Matthew B. McQueen; Jessica R. Santos...; Michel B. Chonchol; Candace J. Bassett; Amy L. Sindler; Tony Giordano; Douglas R. Seals
• Keywords: Brachial artery; Endothelial Dysfunction; Sodium nitrite

Insufficient nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability plays an important role in endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening with aging. Supplementation sodium nitrite, a precursor of NO, ameliorates age-related vascular stiffness mice, but effects on humans, including the metabolic pathways altered, are unknown. The purpose this study was to determine safety, feasibility, efficacy oral nitrite supplementation for improving function middle-aged older adults identify related circulating metabolites. Ten weeks (80 or 160 mg/day, capsules, TheraVasc; randomized, placebo control, double blind) increased plasma acutely (5- 15-fold, P < 0.001 vs. placebo) chronically ( 0.10) well tolerated without symptomatic hypotension clinically relevant elevations blood methemoglobin. Endothelial function, measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, 45-60% baseline changes body mass lipids. Measures carotid elasticity (ultrasound applanation tonometry) improved (decreased β-stiffness index, cross-sectional compliance, 0.05) pressure. Aortic pulse wave velocity unchanged. Nitrite-induced measures were significantly 11 metabolites identified untargeted analysis. Baseline abundance multiple metabolites, glycerophospholipids fatty acyls, predicted nitrite. This provides evidence that is tolerated, increases concentrations, improves lessens adults, perhaps altering pathways, thereby warranting larger clinical trial.