Inorganic Nitrate: Sex Differences in Muscle Contractile Function and Efficiency

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2021-12-30
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Dietary inorganic nitrate, in the form of beet root juice, is a nutritional intervention, considered to be an exercise enhancer due to its capacity to increase Nitric Oxide (NO) bioavailability. Increasing NO bioavailability has been associated with improved mitochondrial respiration, muscle tissue perfusion and contractile function which may lead to improved exercise capacity. However, the majority of the literature is on male subjects. This limits the applicability of this supplement in females. Therefore, our project aims to determine sex-differences and the specific sex-response across the menstrual cycle of dietary nitrate supplementation on exercise efficiency, strength and fatigue resistance.

• Phase: Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Virginia

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female participants in good general health as assessed by the standard procedures described below and specifically meeting normal blood pressure range (systolic: 120-129, diastolic: 80-84) and normal BMI range (18.5-24.9)

• Engaged in physical activity and/or recreational sport but not highly-trained, as assessed by the investigator in personal consultation and laboratory stress test.

• No orthopedic limitations.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Known pulmonary, cardiovascular or metabolic disease

• Food allergies including phenylketonurea (PKU)

• Regular use of dietary supplements within 6 months prior to the start of the study

• Taking any dietary/sport supplements that could affect nitrate metabolism: Sport supplements containing the amino acids L-arginine, L-citrulline, beta-alanine, Creatine, Nitrate based pre-work out supplements

• Blood donation within 3 months prior to the start of the study

• Substance abuse within 2 years of the start of the study

• Smokers

• Hyper- or hypotension medication

• Pregnant or lactating

• Not having a regular menstrual cycle (minimum of 10-12 menses per year)

• Stopped using a contraceptive method or started a new contraceptive method within 3 months.