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Session: Formulating for the Future: Food Science Approaches to Improving Human Nutrition (Oral 16)

(OR16-06-23) Bioactive Mouth Rinse Containing Inorganic Nitrate and Antioxidants Bolsters the Enterosalivary Pathway and Lowers Blood Pressure in Wistar Rats

Monday, July 24, 2023

9:00 AM – 9:12 AM ET

Location: Back Bay A

Presenting Author(s)

Katelyn E. Senkus, MS

Doctoral Candidate
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

AB

Arlin B. Blood, PhD

Loma Linda University School of Medicine
MA

Maria Azrad, PhD, RD

The University of Alabama
AB

Anneliese C. Bolland, PhD, LMSW, CHES

The University of Alabama
HP

Han-A Park, PhD

Assistant Professor
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
JT

Johnny R. Tice, DNP, MA, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Samford University
Kristi M. Crowe-White, PhD, RD

Associate Professor, Department Chair
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Disclosure(s):

Katelyn E. Senkus, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Kristi M. Crowe-White, PhD, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Standard antibacterial mouth rinses deleteriously affect the enterosalivary pathway and, thus, blood pressure (BP). This study evaluated the influence of a mouth rinse infused with inorganic nitrate and antioxidants on mechanistic and clinical measures of the enterosalivary pathway and vascular health over a one-week period compared to a standard antibacterial mouth rinse containing chlorhexidine (CHX).

Methods: Nine-week old male Wistar rats (n=20) were randomized to the bioactive mouth rinse group containing nitrate or standard antibacterial mouth rinse group containing 0.02% CHX. The bioactive rinse was comprised of a 5% green tea base with added nitrate and antioxidants (vitamin C). The nitrate dose was based on median levels of nitrate provided by adherence to the DASH diet, and allometric scaling was employed. The assigned rinse was administered to rats twice daily for one week. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were assessed using tail cuff plethysmography at baseline and study completion. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations in serum and saliva were determined by ozone-based chemiluminescence.

Results: At study completion, changes in SBP and DBP were significantly greater in the bioactive rinse group (SBP: -19.2 ± 18.0 mmHg; DBP: -14.8 ± 17.4 mmHg) compared to the CHX rinse group (SBP: 3.5 ± 15.8 mmHg; DBP: 6.3 ± 18.1 mmHg) (SBP: p=0.008; DBP: p=0.016). Serum and salivary nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in the bioactive rinse group compared to the CHX rinse group (Serum: 22.1x higher, p< 0.001; Saliva: 8x higher, p=0.003). No significant differences in serum nitrite were observed between the two groups, yet, salivary nitrite was significantly higher in the bioactive rinse group (6.3x higher, p=0.017). Significant inverse correlations between DBP and serum nitrate (r = -0.471, p = 0.036), salivary nitrate (r = -0.474, p = 0.047), and salivary nitrite (r = -0.610, p=0.007) were observed.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a mouth rinse infused with inorganic nitrate and antioxidants reduces blood pressure compared to standard treatment. Acknowledging that 47% of Americans have diagnosed hypertension, optimizing oral hygiene products may have significant public health implications.

Funding Sources: AND Foundation Colgate Palmolive Fellowship in Nutrition, Oral Health/Dental Education