Significant endogenous synthesis of nitrate does not appear to be a feature of influenza A virus infection.
There is much concern about the role of nitrate in the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. There has been renewed interest in the endogenous formation of nitrate arising as a host response to infection. This study was designed to investigate whether the large increases in nitrate excretion rate reported (6-15-fold) for certain infectious diseases is also a feature of systemic influenza infections. Volunteers were challenged either with an attenuated strain of influenza A virus or with saline; and excreted nitrate was measured in subsequent 24-h urine samples. Both with and without adjustment for potential confounding by dietary and other factors, it was clear that neither mild nor moderate influenza A virus infection resulted in substantial endogenous nitrate biosynthesis since all the variation in urinary nitrate excretion observed was within the range of normal daily fluctuations. It remains possible that a stronger and more consistent nitrate excretion response might be observed in other infectious illnesses with greater systemic disturbance.
Forman
D
D
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, England.
Leach
S
S
Packer
P
P
Davey
G
G
Heptonstall
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D009566:Nitrates