Nitrite and Coronary Flow Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The vascular effects of nitrite on coronary flow under normoxia and hypoxia

• IRAS ID

  228798

• Sponsor organisation

  University of East Anglia

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 2 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Inorganic nitrate from vegetables such as beetroot and green leafy vegetables, forms nitrite within the saliva that is absorbed into the bloodstream via the stomach. Studies have shown that nitrite can make the blood vessels in the limbs relax, increasing blood flow. This effect may be affected by the amount of oxygen available to the body. We want to see if nitrite has a similar effect on the blood vessels which surround the heart. To investigate this we will recruit 10 healthy volunteers to receive nitrite infusions in states of normoxia (normal oxygen levels) and hypoxia (low oxygen levels), during which an MRI scan will be taken to measure the flow of blood through the blood vessels surrounding the heart. These scans will be compared to MRI scans taken before nitrite is given (at baseline in both normal and low oxygen levels). Additionally, blood samples will be taken before and after the nitrite infusions to measure levels of nitrite and related chemicals.

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/EE/0385

• Date of REC Opinion

  26 Jan 2018

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion