title: Measurements of serum levels of nitrate ions in men and women: implications of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in blood pressure regulation and atherosclerosis.
abstract: As endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator and degraded into nitric ions, we measured serum levels of nitrate (NO3-) concentrations as an index of endothelium-derived NO, to assess its role in blood pressure regulation. Because serum NO3- levels in men were significantly elevated compared to those in women, data from these two groups were analyzed separately. In men, multiple regression analysis revealed that NO3- significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol. Blood pressure correlated with age, BMI, and NO3- with multivariate analysis. In women, NO3- significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol with a simple correlation. With multiple regression analysis, serum NO3- highly correlated with serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol and age. The blood pressure correlated with four parameters, i.e., total cholesterol, age, BMI, and NO3-. In summary, serum NO3- levels seem to relate to serum lipids and glucose levels and blood pressure, which strongly suggests that production of endothelium-derived NO is increased in the atherosclerotic process.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D014280:Triglycerides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002784:Cholesterol