title: Modulation of circulating macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the elderly.
abstract: Aging increases the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Chronic low-grade inflammation deteriorates vascular function, increases age-related vascular stiffness, and affects hemodynamics. The proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a major mediator of atherosclerosis. Plasma MIF levels are associated with arterial stiffness, a hallmark of vascular aging. Preclinical studies show that blockade of MIF leads to atherosclerotic plaque regression. Nutritional approaches provide opportunities to counteract age-related inflammation. Following a chronic dietary supplementation with the micronutrient nitrate has been demonstrated to improve vascular stiffness. Whether dietary nitrate affects circulating MIF levels is not known. In a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, elderly subjects received a dietary nitrate supplementation for 4 weeks. Dietary nitrate led to a decrease in plasma MIF levels in the elderly and to an improvement in vascular functions. This was associated with a reduction in central systolic blood pressure. Our data show that supplementation with dietary nitrate is associated with a reduction of circulating MIF levels along with an improvement in vascular function. This supports the concept of dietary approaches to modulate age-related changes of vascular functions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3468-9945
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rammos
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Hendgen-Cotta
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5574-948X
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Totzeck
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luedike
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelm
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraß 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Tienush
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rassaf
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D009566:Nitrates; C031618:sodium nitrate