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The role of riboflavin in vascular health Ricci, Taylor Annelia

Abstract

Background: Endothelial cells are modulate vascular tone and interface with systemic circulation. Riboflavin is a B-vitamin that is involved in redox and energy metabolism as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). FAD/FMN are also required for the synthesis of vasodilatory nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). However, the role of riboflavin in endothelial NO production and vascular homeostasis is not understood. The objective of my thesis was to determine the role of riboflavin on vascular function. Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J Nos3-/- mice (homozygous eNOS knockout) and Nos3+/+ littermates were fed a control diet (6mg/kg riboflavin) or low riboflavin (1mg/kg riboflavin) diet from weaning for 8 weeks (n=5-7 mice/sex/diet/genotype). Thoracic aorta was collected to assess ex vivo vascular endothelial-dependent and independent function, intima media thickness, and endothelial gene expression. Serum was collected for analysis of one-carbon metabolites. Results: Male and female mice fed the low riboflavin diet had lower (p

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