US Partnering Award: Skeletal muscle nitrate metabolism in older age

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Sport and Health Sciences

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description Our work has expanded on findings in animals to show how ingested dietary nitrate is metabolised and distributed in the tissues of humans. In particular, we have shown that skeletal muscle serves as a nitrate store and that higher nitrate levels following nitrate ingestion is associated with greater muscle force production.
Exploitation Route We have applied to BBSRC for follow-up funding to expand our work into other populations (especially older humans). Improved functional/exercise capacity in older humans, consequent to nutritional intervention, would be an extremely important outcome that could be taken forward by the food or pharmaceutical industries to enhance health in older age.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
 
Description Skeletal muscle nitrate metabolism as a modulator of cardiovascular health in ageing (Ref: 3978)
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID 2579026 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2021 
End 09/2025
 
Title Measuring nitrate and nitrite in skeletal muscle 
Description Using methods developed in rats - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34398151/ - working with our partners, we have now scaled and refined a procedure for measuring nitrate and nitrite ions in human skeletal muscle. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Other groups are now using the same techniques such that the field is expanding. 
URL https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34398151/
 
Description Press release and media interest in a publication 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A University of Exeter press release resulted in 61 further news reports which contributed to an AltMetric score of 509 for the following article:

15 N-labeled dietary nitrate supplementation increases human skeletal muscle nitrate concentration and improves muscle torque production.
Kadach S, Park JW, Stoyanov Z, Black MI, Vanhatalo A, Burnley M, Walter PJ, Cai H, Schechter AN, Piknova B, Jones AM.
Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2023 Mar;237(3):e13924. doi: 10.1111/apha.13924.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_956715_en.html