Report - October 2022

Bonus – Courtesy of Approved Medical Solutions – Reduced nitric oxide synthesis in winter: A potential contributing factor to increased cardiovascular risk

Published: October 1, 2022 Category: Cardiology Evidence Level: Cohort Study Study Size: 34 participants

Research Summary

Background Nitric oxide is a key signalling molecule that elicits a range of biological functions to maintain vascular homeostasis. A reduced availability of nitric oxide is implicated in the progression of cardiovascular diseases and increases the risk of pathogenic events. Aims To compare the concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in healthy adults between winter and summer months. Design An observational study of healthy adults (age 32 ± 9 years) living in central Scotland. Methods Thirty-four healthy adults (13 females) were monitored for 7 days in summer and winter to record sunlight exposure (ultraviolet-A (UV-A) radiation), diet, and physical activity. At the end of each phase, blood pressure was measured, and samples of blood and saliva collected. The samples were analysed to determine the concentrations of plasma and salivary nitrate and nitrite and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Results The participants maintained similar diets in each measurement phase but were exposed to more UV-A radiation (550%) and undertook more moderate-vigorous physical activity (23%) in the summer than in winter. Plasma nitrite (46%) and serum 25(OH)D (59%) were higher and blood pressure was lower in the summer compared to winter months. Plasma nitrite concentration was negatively associated with systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure. Conclusions Plasma nitrite, an established marker of nitric oxide synthesis, is higher in healthy adults during the summer than in winter. This may be mediated by a greater exposure to UV-A which stimulates the release of nitric oxide metabolites from skin stores. While it is possible that seasonal variation in nitric oxide availability may contribute to an increased blood pressure in the winter months, the overall impact on cardiovascular health remains to be determined.

Citation: Luke Liddle a,b, Christopher Monaghan a, Mia C. Burleigh a, Katarzyna A. Baczynska c, David J. Muggeridge d, Chris Easton a,* a Institute for Clinical Exercise and Health Science, University of the West of Scotland, Blantyre, UK b School of Sport and Health Sciences, St. Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK c Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton, UK d School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1089860322000702?via%3Dihub

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Bonus – Courtesy of Approved Medical Solutions – Reduced nitric oxide synthesis in winter: A potential contributing factor to increased cardiovascular risk

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