RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to determine whether nitrate supplementation augments cutaneous reactive hyperaemia. Seven participants were tested pre- and postnitrate supplementation (25 ml beetroot juice); participants consumed one shot per day for 3 days. Participants were instrumented with two microdialysis fibres: control (Ringer's solution) and NO synthase inhibition (20 mM L-NAME). Skin blood flow was measured via laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). A blood pressure cuff was placed on the experimental arm and inflated to 250 mmHg for 5 mins to occlude arterial inflow. The cuff was released, and the resultant reactive hyperaemia was measured. Blood pressure was continuously measured via plethysmography from a finger on the non-experimental arm. Cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated (LDF/MAP) and normalized to maximal vasodilatation (%CVCmax ). Only diastolic blood pressure was reduced following nitrate supplementation (71 ± 2 vs. 66 ± 1 mmHg; P<0·05). There was no effect of nitrate supplementation on peak reactive hyperaemia at control (Pre: 52 ± 3 vs. Post: 57 ± 2%CVCmax ) or L-NAME (Pre: 52 ± 2 vs. Post: 59 ± 4%CVCmax ) sites. There was no effect of nitrate supplementation on total reactive hyperaemia at either control (Pre: 4197 ± 943 vs. Post: 4523 ± 1040%CVCmax * sec) or L-NAME (Pre: 5108 ± 997 vs. Post: 5694 ± 1002%CVCmax * sec) sites. These data suggest cutaneous reactive hyperaemia is unaffected by dietary nitrate supplementation in healthy humans.