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Association of dietary nitrate intake with retinal microvascular structure in older adults

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Abstract

Purpose

Existing research suggests that changes to retinal vascular caliber reflect nitric oxide (NO)-dependent endothelial dysfunction. Dietary nitrate is an important source of NO; however, studies on the link between dietary nitrate intake and retinal microvasculature are lacking. We aimed to assess the cross-sectional association between intake of dietary nitrate (from vegetable and non-vegetable sources) and retinal arteriolar and venular caliber among older adults.

Methods

Participants from the Blue Mountains Eye Study aged 49+ years with complete data at baseline on diet and retinal vessel measures were analyzed (n = 2813). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Nitrate intake from vegetable and non-vegetable sources was estimated using a validated comprehensive database and other published data where necessary. Fundus photographs were taken and retinal vascular caliber measured using validated computer-assisted techniques and summarized.

Results

Participants in the lowest versus highest tertile of vegetable nitrate intake had significantly narrower retinal arterioles: 186.2 ± 0.48 versus 187.6 ± 0.48 µm (multivariable-adjusted p = 0.04). After multivariable adjustment, each 10-unit higher intake of total nitrate and vegetable nitrate was associated with 0.089 ± 0.004 and 0.090 ± 0.004 µm wider retinal arteriolar caliber, respectively, both p = 0.03. Each 10-unit higher vegetable nitrate intake was associated with 0.092 ± 0.005 µm narrower retinal venules (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Intake of dietary nitrate, particularly from vegetable sources, was associated with beneficial variations in both retinal arteriolar and venular caliber among older adults. Further research into associations between dietary nitrate and the retinal microvasculature could allow for greater understanding and possible prevention of clinical cardiovascular events.

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Acknowledgements

The Blue Mountains Eye Study was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (Grant Nos. 974159, 991407, 211069, 262120), and the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia

    Bamini Gopinath, Gerald Liew, George Burlutsky & Paul Mitchell

  2. Centre for Kidney Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia

    Joshua R. Lewis

  3. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Joshua R. Lewis

  4. School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Joshua R. Lewis, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine Bondonno & Jonathan M. Hodgson

  5. Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

    Joshua R. Lewis, Catherine Bondonno & Jonathan M. Hodgson

Authors
  1. Bamini Gopinath
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  2. Gerald Liew
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  3. Joshua R. Lewis
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  4. Lauren C. Blekkenhorst
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  7. Jonathan M. Hodgson
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  8. Paul Mitchell
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Correspondence to Bamini Gopinath.

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Gopinath, B., Liew, G., Lewis, J.R. et al. Association of dietary nitrate intake with retinal microvascular structure in older adults. Eur J Nutr 59, 2057–2063 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02055-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02055-9

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