Sodium intake, inhibition of Na+-K+-ATP-ase, and obesity
Avenel, A.; Leeds, A.R.
Lancet 1(8224): 836
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 6111696 Document Number: 169047
A natriuretic hormonal substance has been identified in human plasma which inhibits renal sodium-potassium-ATPase, potentially causing high levels of intracellular sodium and calcium. Reduced activity of the enzyme may lead to hypertension as well as to obesity. A negative correlation between percent ideal body weight and number of ATPase pumps has been observed, and reduced Na+-K+-ATPase pump activity has been found in muscles of obese patients. These findings suggest that defects in cellular thermogenesis (regulated by sodium pump activity) may be related to obesity. Thus, through a chain of physiological events, sodium intake could also be related to obesity, via levels of natriuretic hormone which inhibit Na+-K+-ATPase activity.