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Nitric oxide, aging and aerobic exercise: Sedentary individuals to Master’s athletes

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Oliver Shannon, Tom Clifford

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Aging is associated with a decline in physiological function and exercise performance. These effects are mediated, at least in part, by an age-related decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a ubiquitous gasotransmitter and regulator of myriad physiological processes. The decrease in NO bioavailability with aging is especially apparent in sedentary individuals, whereas older, physically active individuals maintain higher levels of NO with advancing age. Strategies which enhance NO bioavailability (including nutritional supplementation) have been proposed as a potential means of reducing the age-related decrease in physiological function and enhancing exercise performance and may be of interest to a range of older individuals including those taking part in competitive sport. In this brief review we discuss the effects of aging on physiological function and endurance exercise performance, and the potential role of changes in NO bioavailability in these processes. We also provide a summary of current evidence for dietary supplementation with substrates for NO production — including inorganic nitrate and nitrite, l-arginine and l-citrulline — for improving exercise capacity/performance in older adults. Additionally, we discuss the (limited) evidence on the effects of (poly)phenols and other dietary antioxidants on NO bioavailability in older individuals. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Shannon OM, Clifford T, Seals DR, Craighead DH, Rossman MJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Nitric Oxide

Year: 2022

Volume: 125-126

Pages: 31-39

Online publication date: 12/06/2022

Acceptance date: 03/06/2022

Date deposited: 15/06/2022

ISSN (print): 1089-8603

ISSN (electronic): 1089-8611

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.niox.2022.06.002

DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2022.06.002


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
K01DK115524
MR/T001852/1Medical Research Council (MRC)
K01HL153326
R01AG013038

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