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Figure 1 Nitrate-Induced Nonhemodynamic Effects

Schematic representation of nitrate effects as shown in human studies. Prolonged nonintermittent administration causes a variety of modifications that lead to nitrate tolerance. A unifying hypothesis for an oxidative stress–based physiopathology of these modifications has been recently proposed (22). Intermittent administration also causes modifications that might alter vascular homeostasis. One single administration has been associated with induction of preconditioning. EC = endothelial cell; EPC = endothelial progenitor cell; NO = nitric oxide; ROS = reactive oxygen species.