Active secretion and protective effect of salivary nitrate against stress in human volunteers and rats

► Active secretion of salivary nitrate is one of the human adaptive responses to stress. ► Salivary nitrate and its derivates can prevent stress-induced gastric ulcer. ► Salivary nitrate and its derivates restore blood flow in the stomach mucosa. ► The nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway may contribute to stress-injury protection.