Aging is associated with changes in the cardiovascular system, which can lead to vascular stiffness and heart failure. In this respect, a lower nitrogen monoxide (NO) availability can be observed. This decreasing availability can be counteracted by a dietary intake of nitrate (e.g. ingredient of spinach and beetroot). The protective effect of nitrate appears in increasing blood flow and cardiac output improvement. Even in an acute myocardial infarction, the presence of NO decreases the death of heart muscle cells and thus reduces the infarct size. This is due to an enhancement of the antioxidant activity of MIF causes by NO. In our research project, we investigate whether the protective effect of nitrate on cardiovascular alterations in old age is mediated by post-translational modification of MIF.

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