IMR Press / FBL / Volume 14 / Issue 12 / DOI: 10.2741/3568

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article
Cardioprotective actions of nitrite therapy and dietary considerations
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1 Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas – Houston Health Sciences Center, 1825 Pressler St, Houston TX 77030, USA
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2009, 14(12), 4793–4808; https://doi.org/10.2741/3568
Published: 1 January 2009
Abstract

Nitrite is an intrinsic signaling molecule. Its ability to form nitric oxide (NO) under hypoxic conditions as well as its ability to form S-nitrosothiols under normoxic conditions has transformed this once inert anion into a critical molecule in maintaining NO and nitroso homeostasis throughout the entire physiological oxygen gradient in vivo in addition to serving as the endocrine mediator of NO. Steady state plasma nitrite has historically been used as a biomarker of NO availability. However, tissue specific metabolism of nitrite along with differences in nitrite and nitrate intake from diet warrant a careful assessment of plasma nitrite as an index of NO biochemistry. Metabolism and regulation of NO and nitrite are at the local cellular and tissue level dependent upon cellular redox status, redox active metal and thiol availability. Understanding nitrite metabolism and mechanisms of cytoprotection may offer novel means to prevent cardiovascular disease or limit injury from a cardiovascular event. Here the state of the art of nitrite in cytoprotection as well as maintenance of steady state blood and tissue nitrite is reviewed.

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