Increase in gastric pH reduces hypotensive effect of oral sodium nitrite in rats

► The nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway is a physiological source of NO. ► Nitrite exerts antihypertensive effects. ► Nitrite is reduced to NO under the acidic conditions of the stomach. ► Omeprazole increases gastric pH and reduces the hypotensive effects of nitrite. ► Omeprazole may blunt beneficial cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrite.