What is the primary role of nitrates in the body?

The primary role of nitrates in the body is to relax blood vessel muscles. Nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, which is a potent vasodilator. This means that they help widen the blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow and reduced blood pressure. By relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels, nitrates facilitate greater blood circulation, which is especially important in conditions such as angina and heart failure, where improving oxygen delivery to the heart and other tissues is crucial.

In contrast, while increasing oxygen supply to tissues is an important function of the cardiovascular system and can be a result of the vasodilation effect of nitrates, it is not the direct primary role of nitrates themselves. Enhancing the immune response and regulating blood sugar levels are completely separate physiological functions and are not related to the action of nitrates in the body.