Vascular endothelial function in salt sensitive and non-salt sensitive subjects
Mu, J.-j.; Zhang, T.; Fang, Y.; Ren, J.; Liu, W.-m.; Liu, Z.-q.
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi 39(1): 61-64
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3758 PMID: 21418800 Document Number: 655400
Salt-sensitivity is associated with more severe target organ injury and higher mortality in patients with essential hypertension. We compared the vascular endothelial function between salt-sensitive subjects (SS) and non-salt-sensitive subjects (NSS) with normal or mildly increased blood pressure. Ninety-nine subjects (aged 16 - 60 years) with normal blood pressure or mild hypertension (degree 1) were enrolled. The test program included 3 days baseline investigation, 1 week low-salt loading phase and 1 week high-salt loading phase. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring the flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery using high resolution ultrasound. There was 17.2% SS. Plasma NOx level [(61.2 ± 13.3) µmol/L vs (82.5 ± 14.6) µmol/L, P < 0.05] and FMD [(10.2 ± 2.5)% vs (14.5 ± 1.6)%, P < 0.05] were significantly lower in SS subjects than in NSS subjects. Vascular endothelial dysfunction was evidenced in SS subjects with normal blood pressure or in the early stage of hypertension.