The Acute Effect of Beetroot Juice in Normal and Hypertensive Subjects

Inorganic nitrate can be converted to nitrite and thence nitric oxide in humans. Nitric oxide is normally produced by the inner lining of blood vessels and helps keep blood vessels open and therefore blood pressure lower. In subjects with high blood pressure, the inner lining of the blood vessels does not function adequately. The investigators wish to investigate whether elevating systemic levels of inorganic nitrate (through provision of dietary nitrate-rich vegetables) can elevate levels of nitrate/nitrite in hypertensive subjects, and whether this has a beneficial effect on blood pressure.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult male and females between 18 and 85 years of age, inclusive.
2. To be eligible, female subjects will be required to state that they are not pregnant, and will not become pregnant during the course of the study.
3. Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 40 kg/m2
4. A signed and dated written informed consent prior to admission to the study
5. The subject is able to understand and comply with protocol requirements, instructions and protocol-stated restrictions.
6. Grade 1 hypertensive SBP 140-159 or DBP 90-99 on no anti-hypertensives, no target organ damage (TOD), low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of symptomatic coronary artery disease, stroke, or other known atherosclerotic disease.
2. History of chronic viral hepatitis (including presence of hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C antibody), or other chronic hepatic disorders.
3. History of increased liver function tests (ALT, AST) due to acute or chronic liver conditions, 3x above the upper limit of normal or bilirubin 1.5x above the upper limit of normal at screening.
4. Renal impairment with creatinine clearance (eGFR) of \<50 ml/min at screening.
5. Current poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, defined as HbA1c \>10% at Screen.
6. Subjects with LDLc, \>7.5 mmol/l. Fasting TG level \>6mmol/l.
7. History of heart failure defined as NYHA class II - IV or those with known severe LV dysfunction (EF\<30%) regardless of symptomatic status
8. History of malignancy within the past 5 years, other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
9. Current life-threatening condition other than vascular disease (e.g., very severe chronic airways disease, HIV positive, life-threatening arrhythmias) that may prevent a subject from completing the study.
10. Alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months.
11. Use of an investigational device or investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is the longer) preceding the first dose of study medication.
12. Subjects who will commence or who are likely to commence treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin), from screening until study completion.
13. Any non-stable dosing of ongoing medication regimens throughout the study trial.
14. The subject has a three month prior history of regular alcohol consumption exceeding an average weekly intake of \> 28 units (or an average daily intake of greater than 3 units) for males, or an average weekly intake of \> 21 units (or an average daily intake of greater than 2 units) for females. 1 unit is equivalent to a halfpint (284mL) of beer/lager; 25mL measure of spirits or 125mL of wine; or a positive alcohol breath test at the screening visit
15. A positive urine test for drugs of abuse (not related to known medications the subject is taking, ie, codeine for pain management) or alcohol at screening or prior to study medication administration.
16. Any other subject whom the Investigator deems unsuitable for the study (e.g., due to either medical reasons, laboratory abnormalities, expected study medication noncompliance, or subject's unwillingness to comply with all study-related study procedures).
17. Subjects with rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disorders and other conditions known to be associated with chronic inflammation (e.g. Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
18. Subjects with any acute infection, or significant trauma (burns, fractures).
19. Subjects who have donated more than 500 mL of blood within 56 days prior to the initiation of the study.