Long Term Sodium Nitrate Administration Positively Impacts Metabolic and Obesity Indices in Ovariectomized Rats

Background In postmenopausal women, nitric oxide (NO) deficiency is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aims at determining the long-term effects of low-dose nitrate administration on metabolic and obesity indices in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods OVX rat model was induced using the two dorsolateral skin incision method. Two months after ovariectomy, rats were divided into three groups (n = 10/group): Control, OVX, and OVX+nitrate, and the latter received sodium nitrate at a dose of 100 mg/L in their drinking water for nine months. Fasting serum glucose and lipid profile were measured every month. A glucose tolerance test was performed at months 1, 3, and 9 (the end of the study). Obesity indices were calculated, and histological analyses were performed on the gonadal adipose tissues at month 9. Results OVX rats had impaired fasting glucose, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia with higher obesity indices at month 9. Nitrate improved glucose and lipid metabolism in OVX rats and decreased body weight (6.9%), body mass index (12.5%), Lee index (5.4%), adiposity index (23.9%), abdominal circumference (10.5%), and thoracic circumference (17.1%). Also, nitrate decreased adipocyte area by 49% and increased adipocyte density by 193% in gonadal adipose tissue. Conclusion Long-term low-dose nitrate administration improves glucose and lipid metabolism in OVX rats in association with decreasing OVX-induced adiposity, increasing adipocyte density, and decreasing adipocyte area. These findings provide support for a potential therapeutic role of nitrate in postmenopausal women with some features of metabolic syndrome.