Lost-in-Translation of Metabolic Effects of Inorganic Nitrate in Type 2 Diabetes: Is Ascorbic Acid the Answer?

Beneficial metabolic effects of inorganic nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO2−) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been documented in animal experiments; however, this is not the case for humans. Although it has remained an open question, the redox environment affecting the conversion of NO3− to NO2− and then to NO is suggested as a potential reason for this lost-in-translation. Ascorbic acid (AA) has a critical role in the gastric conversion of NO2− to NO following ingestion of NO3−. In contrast to AA-synthesizing species like rats, the lack of ability to synthesize AA and a lower AA body pool and plasma concentrations may partly explain why humans with T2DM do not benefit from NO3−/NO2− supplementation. Rats also have higher AA concentrations in their stomach tissue and gastric juice that can significantly potentiate gastric NO2−-to-NO conversion. Here, we hypothesized that the lack of beneficial metabolic effects of inorganic NO3− in patients with T2DM may be at least in part attributed to species differences in AA metabolism and also abnormal metabolism of AA in patients with T2DM. If this hypothesis is proved to be correct, then patients with T2DM may need supplementation of AA to attain the beneficial metabolic effects of inorganic NO3− therapy.