International experts highlight the research of Jon Lundberg, Eddie Weizberg, Mattias Carlström and their colleagues on nitrate and nitric oxide (NO) as particularly important when evaluating research at Swedish universities.
The Swedish Research Council's (Vetenskapsrådet, VR) report 'Quality and impact of research in basic medicine in Sweden' was recently published, in which Karolinska Institutet is ranked highest among seven Swedish higher education institutions surveyed. The FyFa research on nitrate and nitric oxide receives the highest possible score in the evaluation.
Karolinska Institutet excels in the Swedish Research Council's evaluation of medical research
Jon Lundberg talks about the group's nitrate and nitric oxide research:
"My colleagues Eddie, Mattias and I, together with our collaborators, have shown that nitrate - a substance naturally present in our diet - is converted in the body into nitric oxide by bacteria in the oral cavity. This nitric oxide has been shown to have several positive effects: it can lower blood pressure and improve the performance of athletes by reducing the oxygen consumption of muscles. Today, elite athletes around the world use nitrate as a performance-enhancing aid.
Even more promising are the results of a UK study in which over 600 heart attack patients were given nitrate tablets or a placebo. Participants were followed for two years, and the results showed a halving of serious cardiovascular events, such as new heart attacks. If these findings are confirmed in a larger phase 3 trial, nitrate could become the most effective pharmacological intervention for secondary prevention of heart attacks to date.
This research shows that something as simple as a natural dietary substance can have life-changing effects - a realisation that inspires and motivates us to continue this important work."
