ORCID
- Raul Bescos: 0000-0002-3939-4743
- Patricia Casas-Agustench: 0000-0003-4424-1087
Abstract
In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine plasma and salivary nitrate (NO 3 −) and nitrite (NO 2 −) concentrations under resting and fasting conditions in different type of individuals and their association with blood pressure levels. A total of 77 studies, involving 1918 individuals aged 19–74 years (males = 906; females = 1012), which measured plasma and/or salivary NO 3 − and NO 2 − using the chemiluminescence technique, were included. Mean plasma NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations were 33.9 μmol/L and 158.3 nmol/L, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed lower plasma NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations in individuals with cardiometabolic risk (NO 3 −: 21.2 μmol/L; 95 % CI, 13.4–29.0; NO 2 −: 122.8 nmol/L; 95 % CI, 75.3–138.9) compared to healthy (NO 3 −: 33.9 μmol/L; 95 % CI, 29.9–37.9; NO 2 −: 159.5 nmol/L; 95 % CI, 131.8–187.1; P < 0.01) and trained individuals (NO 3 −: 43.0 μmol/L; 95 % CI, 13.2–72.9; NO 2 −: 199.3 nmol/L; 95 % CI, 117.6–281; P < 0.01). Mean salivary NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations were 546.2 μmol/L and 197.8 μmol/L, respectively. Salivary NO 3 −, but no NO 2 −, concentrations were higher in individuals with cardiometabolic risk (680.0 μmol/L; 95 % CI, 510.2–849.8; P = 0.001) compared to healthy individuals (535.9 μmol/L; 95 % CI, 384.2–687.6). A significant positive association (coefficient, 15.4 [95 % CI, 0.255 to 30.5], P = 0.046) was observed between salivary NO 3 − and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). These findings suggest that the health status is positively associated with plasma NO 3 − and NO 2 − concentrations, but the circulatory levels of these anions are not associated with blood pressure. Only salivary NO 3 − showed a significant positive association with DBP.
Publication Date
2025-01-01
Publication Title
Free Radic Biol Med
Volume
226
Keywords
Humans, Saliva/metabolism, Nitrates/blood, Nitrites/blood, Blood Pressure, Adult, Middle Aged, Biological Availability, Male, Female, Aged, Young Adult, Plasma, Nitrite, Nitrate, Nitric oxide, Blood pressure, Saliva
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
First Page
70
Last Page
83
Recommended Citation
Bescos, R., Gallardo-Alfaro, L., Ashor, A., Rizzolo-Brime, L., Siervo, M., & Casas-Agustench, P. (2025) 'Nitrate and nitrite bioavailability in plasma and saliva: Their association with blood pressure - A systematic review and meta-analysis', Free Radic Biol Med, 226, pp. 70-83. Available at: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.11.010
