Plasma nitrite response in older women to a physical function test.
OBJECTIVE
Nitric oxide (NO) may play a critical role in facilitating the delivery of blood to active skeletal muscle, ultimately impacting functional health in older adults. Plasma nitrite is a useful marker of vascular NO bioavailability. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the effect of a widely used physical function test on plasma nitrite concentrations in older adults.


METHODS
Venous blood was drawn before, immediately following, and 10 minutes following the completion of a 400-m walk test. Blood samples were added to heparin and frozen for subsequent analysis of nitrite levels using chemiluminescence.


RESULTS
Twenty six (79±4 yrs) women participated in this study. Plasma nitrite levels decreased approximately 22% from baseline following a 400-m walk. Percent change in plasma nitrite was related to walking speed (r=-0.550, p=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest an alteration in plasma nitrite concentration following a functional test which may impact functional health.
Dobrosielski
Devon A
DA
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. ddobros1@jhmi.edu
Presley
Tennille
T
Perlegas
Andreas
A
Marsh
Anthony P
AP
Kim-Shapiro
Daniel
D
Rejeski
W Jack
WJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*
D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide