Sodium Nitrate to Improve Blood Flow

Sodium Nitrate to Improve Blood Flow

Investigators recently showed that tadalafil restores functional sympatholysis in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). If tadalafil restores functional sympatholysis in BMD via the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, then functional sympatholysis should also be restored by sodium nitrite- which is an indirect nitric oxide donor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Becker muscular dystrophy
• age 15-55 years of age
• ambulatory

Exclusion Criteria:

• hypertension, diabetes, or heart failure by standard clinical criteria
• elevated brain natriuretic peptide level (>100 pg/ml)
• Left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%
• cardiac rhythm disorder, specifically: rhythm other than sinus, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, heart block
• continuous ventilatory support
• liver disease
• renal impairment
• history of asthma or bronchospasm
• use of any medications other than common supplements
• unable to perform handgrip exercise