4. Discussion
cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, weight loss, vascular and cognitive functions
OXIDATIVE STRESS
The results of this pilot study indicate the potential synergy between CR and dietary nitrate interventions and measures of vascular and cognitive functions without amplification of the adaptive effects following weight loss on energy metabolism. The study also indicates that the effects on endothelial function may be mediated by a reduction in oxidative stress.A key finding of the study is that similar weight reduction and body composition changes occurred in both interventions; these were accompanied by the same extent of the decline in REE as a result of weight loss triggering adaptive metabolic mechanisms. Dietary nitrate supplementation has been associated with increased efficiency of mitochondria in skeletal muscle, which is one of the mechanisms underpinning the ergogenic effects of dietary nitrate [Both CR and dietary nitrate supplementation have been independently linked to improved BP and endothelial function in several studies [The promising effects on ROS production were supported by a significantly greater reduction in urinary 8-isoprostane concentrations in the CR + BRJ group, and a significant inverse correlation between isoprostanes and average microvascular flux was observed. Isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like compounds and are commonly used as biomarkers of oxidative stress and increased levels have been associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases in animal and human experiments [Both interventions showed an overall improvement in cognitive function, but changes in the TMT-B scores were only significant in the CR + BRJ group. Justice et al. [Babateen et al. [