Nitrate Supplementation and Muscle Blood Flow

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Vasodilation; Blood Pressure; Active Hyperemia; Aging
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Super Beets; Dietary Supplement: Beetroot powder

• Registration Number: NCT03459027
• Lead Sponsor: University of Iowa

Brief Summary

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of an acute dose of dietary nitrate in the form of beetroot juice on skeletal muscle blood flow in response to dynamic knee extension exercise in healthy older adults. All subjects will receive active (rich in dietary nitrate) or placebo (devoid of nitrate) supplementation.

Detailed Description

Dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) is reduced to nitrite and nitric oxide within the digestive system of humans. Nitric oxide exerts potent vasodilator effects, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and enhance exercise economy in humans. This pressure reducing effect may have implications within the regulation of blood flow during dynamic exercise in older adults.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-10-10
• Study First Submitted: 2017-10-11
• Primary Completion: 2018-02-08
• Study Completion: 2018-02-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-03-07
• Study First Posted: 2018-03-08
• Status Verified: 2019-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-01-08
• Last Update Posted: 2019-01-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy older adults 60-80 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

• Hypertension,
• Smoking,
• Heart disease,
• Diabetes,
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2,
• Autonomic disorders and other conditions that may alter blood pressure or vascular function
• Medications that might normally alter blood pressure or vascular function.
• Older women taking hormone replacement therapy medications.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo Beetroot Powder	Beetroot powder	Beetroot powder devoid of nitrate (10g) will be mixed in water and administered acutely
Nitrate Rich Beetroot Powder (nitrate)	Super Beets	Dietary nitrate in the form of beetroot powder (10g) mixed in water will be administered acutely
Nitrate Rich Beetroot Powder (nitrate)	Beetroot powder	Dietary nitrate in the form of beetroot powder (10g) mixed in water will be administered acutely
Placebo Beetroot Powder	Super Beets	Beetroot powder devoid of nitrate (10g) will be mixed in water and administered acutely

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow within the Leg via Doppler Ultrasound	Pre and 2 hours post acute ingestion of dietary nitrate and placebo with at least 5 days of separation between visits.	Leg blood flow via Doppler ultrasound examined during dynamic knee extension exercise. Change in blood flow in response to dynamic knee exercise will be measured to examine the influence of dietary nitrate.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Medical Education Building; 🇺🇸 Iowa City, Iowa, United States