The reproducibility of the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in human saliva after a nitrate load.
We investigated the reproducibility of the inter- and intra-individual variations in the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in saliva. Saliva samples were collected from 20 volunteers just before and at regular intervals after a nitrate load on four non-consecutive days within a period of 2 months. On three occasions beetroot juice was the nitrate source and on one occasion a nitrate solution was given. Despite large day-to-day variations it was possible to discriminate between subjects with a consistently high or low nitrate conversion after a nitrate load. Neither saliva sampling before a nitrate load nor single saliva samples are sufficient to obtain clear information about individual capacities for nitrate-nitrite conversion.
Bos
P M
PM
Department of Human Nutrition, TNO-CIVO Toxicology and Nutrition Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Van den Brandt
P A
PA
Wedel
M
M
Ockhuizen
T
T
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid