Our Research
Recent studies show that the supposedly inert inorganic anions nitrate (NO³¯) and nitrite (NO²¯) can recycle in vivo to form nitric oxide (NO) and other bioactive nitrogen oxides. This represents an important alternative source of NO, especially during hypoxia when the classical L-arginine/NO synthase pathway may be dysfunctional.
A picture is now emerging suggesting important biological functions of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, with provocative implications in relation to diet and cardiovascular homeostasis.
In addition, an expanding number of studies suggest a therapeutic potential for nitrate and nitrite in diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic and pulmonary hypertension and gastric ulceration.
Projects
- Nitrate and nitrite as a substrate for NO generation
- Airway nitric oxide
- NO and the gastrointestinal system
- NO as a marker for inflammation
- Antibacterial effects of nitrite.
Methods
We use most of the standard molecular biology techniques.
In addition, we have numerous highly specialised assays for determination of nitric oxide (NO) in vivo and in vitro. These include chemiluminescence detection of NO in exhaled breath, in nasal air and in intestinal gases (colon, stomach), as well as highly sensitive assays for nitrate, nitrite and S-nitrosothiols, citrulline assay, cGMP RIA, and immunohistochemistry for NOSs.
Collaborations
We collaborate with the research group Nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway in health and disease