Elevated endogenous nitrate synthesis associated with giardiasis.

Mean nitrate content in the morning urine of 117 patients with giardiasis comprises 155.3 mg/l, which exceeds about 4 fold the normal value. Maximum concentrations of 1000 mg/l were observed. Under treatment with metronidazol (Vagimid) nitrate content at first increased and then restored to normal. Endogenously synthesized nitrate with giardiasis 3-4 fold exceeds the daily nitrate intake by food and, therefore, plays an important role in total nitrate load of the patients.