Nitrate: a pioneer from the mouth to the systemic health and diseases
10.3760/cma.j.cn112144-20200410-00204
- VernacularTitle:硝酸盐
- Author:
Lizheng QIN
1
;
Luyuan JIN
;
Xingmin QU
;
Songling WANG
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学口腔医学院唾液腺疾病中心及牙再生与口腔功能重建北京市重点实验室 100050
- Keywords:
Nitrates;
Nitrites;
Nitric oxide;
Sialin;
Salivary glands
- From:
Chinese Journal of Stomatology
2020;55(7):433-438
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Dietary nitrate which mainly comes from green leafy vegetables, is absorbed into blood circulation by the intestinal mucosa. Parotid gland is an important organ for transporting nitrate. Nitrate in blood is taken up by sialin, a nitrate transporter and concentrated in salivary glands and secreted into saliva. The salivary nitrate is partially reduced to nitrite and nitric oxide by oral bacteria, and then salivary nitrate and nitrite return into blood circulation with swallowing and intestinal mucosal absorption. As a non-classic source of nitric oxide, nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway plays an important role on physiological and pathological conditions, especially on the condition of hypoxia and ischemia. These functions include body protection, such as gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, anti-inflammation, regulation of glucose/lipid metabolism, improvement of sport ability, maintaining gut microbiome hemostasis, and alleviating senility. The traditional view on nitrate as a harmful substance to human body has been proved to be lack of scientific evidence. With further research and application, as a pioneer from the mouth to the whole body, nitrate is expected to play a crucial part in human health, and prevention and treatment of systemic diseases.
