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Induction of vesicle-to-micelle transition by bile salts for DOPE vesicles incorporating immunoglobulin G.

The vesicle-to-micelle transition of immunoliposomes formed by dioleoylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine (DOPE) and palmitoyl-immunoglobulin G (p-IgG) was investigated in the presence of bile salts and conjugated bile salts. Turbidity and the release of calcein from liposomes were measured as a function of the amount of bile salts added and compared with the solubilizing profiles of the salts according to the number and configurational state of hydroxy groups in the cholate. The solubilizing phenomena by bile salts conjugated with glycine or taurine were investigated in comparison with non-conjugated bile salts. The solubilizing effect of bile salts on the bilayer of immunoliposomes increased remarkably with the number of hydroxy groups, but was not influenced by the configurational state of the hydroxy group. The half-maximal concentration of bile salts, defined as the concentration giving the half-maximum turbidity of liposome solutions, decreased with hydrophobicity in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayer. The increase in the hydrophobicity of bile salts induces the ability to permeabilize and solubilize phospholipid vesicles. In the case of PC or PE liposome bilayers with inserted protein, bile salts conjugated with taurine or glycine had lower hydrophobicity than non-conjugated bile salts and showed a lower half-maximal concentration. The conjugated bile salts are believed to interact with lipids and solubilize the bilayers, while the head groups of bile salts interact with the inserted protein and extract it from the lipid bilayer.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Effects of taurodihydrofusidate, a bile salt analogue, on bile formation and biliary lipid secretion in the rhesus monkey.

Bile salts play a major role in bile formation and biliary lipid secretion. Sodium taurodihydrofusidate (TDHF), a derivative of the antibiotic fusidic acid, closely resembles bile salts in terms of structure, micellar characteristics, and capacity ot solubilize otherwise insolbule lipids. We have therefore studied the biliary secretion of this bile salt analogue and its influence on bile formation and biliary lipid secretion in primates. Alert, unanesthetized female rhesus monkeys prepared with a total biliary fistula were allowed to reach a steady bile salt secretion rate before each study. In three animals (group I),[14C]TDHF was infused intravenously. Most of the compound was secreted rapidly in bile chemically unchanged. The biliary secretion of this drug produced a twofold increase in bile flow; however, the bile salt output was markedly reduced during the infusion. In spite of this reduction, the phospholipid output remained essentially unchanged whereas the cholesterol output increased almost twofold. In five other animals (group II), the effect of TDHF on the bile salt secretion was further investigated by an intravenous infusion of [14C]taurocholate followed by a combined infusion of [14C]taurocholate and TDHF. When TDHF was added to the infusate, a reduction in the [14C]taurocholate output and a progressive rise in the plasma [14C]taurocholate concentration were observed in each animal. An analysis of the data in both groups indicates that (a) the most likely explanation to account for the decreased bile salt output is that the bile salt analogue, TDHF, interfered with bile salt secretion into the biliary canaliculi; (b) TDHF induces a greater secretion of biliary water than was observed with bile salts, an effect consistent with a stimulation of the bile salt-independent canalicular flow; (c) at similar 3alpha-hydroxysteroid secretion rates TDHF caused a significant increase in cholesterol secretion compared to that induced by bile salt. This finding suggests that TDHF affects cholesterol metabolism or secretion in a way distinct from bile salts. Thus, the solubilization of biliary lipids in mixed micelles, although essential, is only one of the factors which determine their secretion into bile.

Animals↗

Role of the hepatocyte microtubular system in the excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid: implications for intracellular vesicular transport.

The role of the hepatocyte microtubular system in the transport and excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid has not been defined. In this study the effects of microtubule inhibition on biliary excretion of micelle- and non-micelle-forming bile salts and associated lipid were examined in rats. Low-dose colchicine pretreatment had no effect on the baseline excretion of biliary bile salts and phospholipid in animals studied 1 hr after surgery (basal animals), but slightly retarded the excretion of tracer [14C]taurocholate relative to that of lumicolchicine-pretreated (control) rats. However, colchicine pretreatment resulted in a marked reduction in the excretion of 2 mumol/100 g doses of a series of four micelle-forming bile salts of differing hydrophilicity, but had no significant effect on the excretion of the non-micelle-forming bile salt, taurodehydrocholate. Continuous infusion of 0.2 mumol of taurocholate/(100 g.min) following 24 hr of biliary drainage (depleted/reinfused animals) resulted in physiologic bile flow with biliary excretion rates of bile salts, phospholipid, and cholesterol that were markedly inhibited (mean 33, 39, and 42%, respectively) by colchicine or vinblastine pretreatment. Excretion of tracer [14C]taurocholate also was markedly delayed by colchicine in these bile salt-depleted/reinfused animals. In contrast, colchicine did not inhibit bile salt excretion in response to reinfusion of taurodehydrocholate. Thus, under basal conditions, the microtubular system appears to play a minor role in hepatic transport and excretion of bile salts and biliary lipid. However, biliary excretion of micelle-forming bile salts and associated phospholipid and cholesterol becomes increasingly dependent on microtubular integrity as the transcellular flux and biliary excretion of bile salts increases, in both bile salt-depleted and basal animals. We postulate that cotransport of micelle-forming bile salts and lipids destined for biliary excretion, via an intracellular vesicular pathway, forms the basis for this microtubule dependence.

Animals↗

[Effects of neutral salts on the conformational state of glycogen, interacting with iodine].

The effects of salts on helix formation of linear (outer) chains of branched alpha-glucane, muscle glycogen, was judged upon by the state of polyiodine chromophore of the iodine reaction surrounded by a polysaccharide asymmetric helix and recorded by the circular dichroism method. It was demonstrated that apart from the known changes in the absorption of the iodine-glycogen complex the salts induce changes in the ellipticity by affecting the helix formation of the linear chains of the polysaccharide. The nature of these effects depends on the type and concentration of the salt used. Monovalent metal salts produce a more favourable effect on helix formation than the divalent metal salts. Among divalent metal salts transient metal salts produce a weaker effect. The action of neutral salts on helix formation is of dual nature: helix formation and helix destruction. The helix formation is largely impaired by high concentrations of LiCl (greater than 6 M) or CaCl2 (greater than 2M). It was shown that a certain role in the mechanism of neutral salt action on helix formation belongs both to electrostatic and lyotropic effects. The latter determine the effects of salts on helix formation at concentrations above the monomolar one, when the specific effect of a salt is especially well-pronounced. The salts which enhance the orderliness of H2O structure produce a favourable effect on helix formation of the linear polysaccharide chains and, consequently, on the iodine reaction. In terms of molar efficiency of their action on the iodine reaction the salts correspond to the Hofmeister lyotropic sequence.

Calcium Chloride↗

Maternal dietary NaCl intake influences weanling rats' salt preferences without affecting taste nerve responsiveness.

The present study examined the relationship between maternal dietary NaCl intake during the period from conception through weaning and weanling rats' elective consumption of salt; the study asked whether or not changes in offsprings' salt intake was mediated by altered taste responsiveness. The subjects were the 21-day-old offspring of 24 adult female rats fed diets containing .08% (low), 1% (mid), or 4% (high) NaCl from conception through weaning. Maternal dietary salt levels influenced offsprings' salt intake. In long-term food choice tests, the mid and high salt rats ate more salted food and had higher salt preferences than the low salt animals; in long-term solution choice tests, the mid and high salt rats drank more saline and less water and had higher saline preferences than the low salt rats. Nevertheless, the group differences in salt preference were not due to changes in taste responsiveness. There were no differences between the groups in saline preferences in short-term tests or in the amplitudes of chorda tympani nerve responses to concentration series of several salts. The implications of these data for understanding the physiological basis for group differences in salt preference are discussed.

Animals↗

Biosynthetic pathways of glycerol accumulation under salt stress in Aspergillus nidulans.

A culture of Aspergillus nidulans (FGSC 359) was gradually adapted for growth in media containing up to 2 M NaCl or was exposed to a salt shock with 2 M NaCl. The intracellular glycerol level increased by about 7.9-fold in salt-adapted and 2.4-fold in salt-shocked cultures when compared to the unadapted culture. The biosynthetic pathway involved in the accumulation of glycerol was investigated under long-term salt adaptation and short-term salt shock. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8) was induced 1.4-fold in salt-shocked but not in salt-adapted cultures. An alternate enzymatic pathway involving glycerol dehydrogenase (NADP(+)-dependent) utilizing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and/or DL-glyceraldehyde (DL-GAD) was induced by NaCl. DHA-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase activity was induced about 6.3-fold in salt-adapted and 1.35-fold in salt-shocked cultures, while DL-GAD-dependent activity was induced about 6.1-fold in salt-adapted and 1.2-fold in salt-shocked cultures. However, the level of glycerol dehydrogenase activity with DL-GAD as substrate was 7% of the DHA-dependent activity. We conclude that a salt-inducible NADP(+)-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase activity electrophoretically indistinguishable from previously described glycerol dehydrogenase I results in glycerol accumulation in salt-stressed A. nidulans.

Aspergillus nidulans↗

Heritable aspects of salt sensitivity.

Dietary salt reduction is an important nonpharmacologic remedy for mild hypertension as well as a useful adjunct to drug treatment. However, a reduced salt intake diet is not effective in reducing the blood pressure of all hypertensive patients. Several lines of evidence indicate that some patients are salt-sensitive whereas others are salt-resistant. A series of investigations have been conducted showing that the blood pressure responses to either acute salt and volume loading or to a reduced dietary salt intake are normally distributed. Blood pressure, humoral regulators of blood pressure and renal sodium handling are each found to be influenced by genetic variance. The change in blood pressure from dietary salt reduction is influenced by genetic variance as well. Definitions of salt sensitivity and resistance were formulated, and salt sensitivity of blood pressure was found to occur significantly more often in black than in white Americans. Furthermore, preliminary data suggest that measurement of phenotypes of haptoglobin in blood may assist in identifying salt-sensitive and salt-resistant subjects. Trials of a reduced salt intake diet in pharmacologically treated hypertensive patients are currently being conducted. The data suggest that at least half of the patients are salt-sensitive and that their medications may be reduced in response to the intervention. Results of this study may be of relevance to many of the 60 million Americans with hypertension, particularly to those who are black and elderly.

Adult↗

Sodium regulation of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors in Dahl rats. Effect of feeding a low or high salt diet.

Sodium regulation of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors was investigated in inbred salt-sensitive (S) and inbred salt-resistant (R) rats fed a high or low salt diet. The systolic blood pressure was higher in S rats than in R rats, and this difference was obviously greater on a high salt diet. In rats fed a low or high salt diet, S rats had higher alpha 2-adrenoreceptor density in the kidneys compared with R rats as measured by [3H]yohimbine binding and Scatchard analysis. The affinity of the receptors in the kidney for the antagonist, yohimbine, was nearly the same in these two strains either on a low or high salt diet. In the brain, the affinities or the numbers of receptors were not significantly different whether these two strains were fed a low or high salt diet. Inclusion of NaCl up to 80 mM in the assay medium did not alter the in vitro binding of [3H]yohimbine in the kidney or brain. On the other hand, inclusion of NaCl in the assay medium reduced the ability of epinephrine in competing with [3H]yohimbine for the receptor sites in the kidney and in the brain, and this effect of NaCl was the same in a given tissue between S and R rats, whether they were fed a low or high salt diet. These results suggest that: (1) in the kidneys, the receptor density and not the receptor affinity was different between S and R strains whether they were fed a low or high salt diet; (2) in the brain, the receptor density and affinity were the same between S and R rats regardless of the diet (low or high salt), indicating that the sodium salt diet modulates the peripheral but not the central alpha 2-adrenoreceptors; and this modulatory effect was observed only in S rats; (3) Na+ was able to reduce the affinity of the agonist (epinephrine) for the receptors in both S and R rats, and this effect of Na+ on central and peripheral alpha 2-adrenoreceptors was similar in prehypertensive rats and rats with salt-induced hypertension; and (4) the resistance of R rats to salt-induced hypertension was not due to the absence of Na+ binding component involved in the regulation of alpha 2-adrenoreceptor-adenylate cyclase complex.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

5-Carboxamidotryptamine attenuates the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension in rats.

The effect of chronic i.v. infusion of the 5-HT1 receptor agonist, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), was evaluated during the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt (DOCA-salt) hypertension in rats over 4 weeks. Vehicle-treated (n = 10) Sprague-Dawley rats given DOCA (100 mg/kg, s.c.) and 1% saline as drinking fluid developed hypertension with systolic blood pressure reaching 194.6 +/- 8.99 mm Hg at 27 days. In DOCA-salt rats treated with 5-CT infusions (15.0 micrograms/kg per day, n = 10) for 4 weeks via osmotic minimpumps, systolic blood pressure was significantly lower by 41.7 mm Hg at day 27 when compared to vehicle-treated DOCA-salt rats. Systolic blood pressure values on day 27 in 5-CT-treated DOCA-salt rats were however greater than those in vehicle-treated control rats which were not given DOCA. Systolic blood pressure in 5-CT-treated DOCA-salt rats was significantly lower by day 7 compared to vehicle-treated DOCA-salt rats and remained lowered for the rest of the observation period. Heart rate was significantly greater in 5-CT-treated DOCA-salt rats on day 7 when compared to vehicle-treated DOCA-salt rats. Baroreflex sensitivity on day 28 was significantly greater in 5-CT-treated DOCA-salt rats as compared to vehicle-treated DOCA-salt rats. On day 28, hypotensive responses to hexamethonium (20 mg/kg) in 5-CT-treated DOCA-salt rats were markedly reduced compared to those in vehicle-treated DOCA-salt rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Possible involvement of aminopeptidase A in hypertension and renal damage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

BACKGROUND: Although aminopeptidase A (APA), which is abundant in the kidneys, is responsible for metabolizing angiotensin II (Ang II), its association with salt sensitivity remains uncertain. We aimed to clarify the involvement of APA in salt-induced hypertension and renal damage. METHODS: Male Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats were fed low-salt (0.3%) or high-salt diet (8%) from 6 weeks of age for 12 weeks. Tail-cuff-measured blood pressure (BP), renal APA activity, renal Ang II levels, histologic renal damage, and APA immunoreactivity were periodically examined. RESULTS: Systolic BP progressively increased only in DS rats given the high-salt diet (DS-8% rats). The DR-8% rats had approximately 3-fold higher renal APA activity than the rats given the low-salt diet (DR-0.3% rats) during the maintenance on the high-salt diet. However, although DS-8% rats also had 2.5-fold higher renal APA activity than DS-0.3% rats at 10 weeks, continuing the high-salt diet afterward suppressed the activity in DS-8% rats below the levels observed in DS-0.3% rats. High-salt diet reduced renal Ang II levels by 30% in DR rats, whereas it showed a small and nonsignificant decrease in DS rats. The number of injured glomeruli was markedly elevated in DS-8% rats after 10 weeks. The APA immunostaining in DS-8% rats was enhanced in glomeruli displaying mild damage, diminished in the severely injured glomeruli, and absent in lesions with hyalinization. CONCLUSIONS: High-salt diet in DS rats increased renal APA activity, although renal injury remained mild, but then reduced it along with the progression of glomerulosclerosis, suggesting that reduced APA activity may be involved in the deterioration of salt-induced hypertension and renal injury.

Angiotensin II↗

Dahl salt-sensitive rats develop hypovitaminosis D and hyperparathyroidism when fed a standard diet.

The Dahl salt-sensitive rat (S), a model for salt-sensitive hypertension, excretes protein-bound 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) into urine when fed a low salt diet. Urinary 25-OHD increases during high salt intake. We tested the hypothesis that continuous loss of 25-OHD into urine would result in low plasma 25-OHD concentration in mature S rats raised on a standard diet. Dahl S and salt-resistant (R) male rats were raised to maturity (12-month-old) on a commercial rat diet (1% salt) and switched to 0.3% (low) or 2% (high) salt diets 3 weeks before euthanasia. Urine (24 h) was collected at the end of the dietary treatments. Urinary 25-OHD and urinary 25-OHD binding activity of S rats were three times that of R rats, resulting in lower plasma 25-OHD and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in S rats than in R rats (P < 0.001). Plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations of S rats were twice that of R rats. S rats fed 2% salt had higher plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations than those fed 0.3% salt (P = 0.002). S rats excreted more calcium into urine than R rats (P < 0.001) and did not exhibit the expected calciuric response to salt. Proteinuria of the S rats was three times that of the R rats, suggesting kidney damage in the S rats. Low plasma 25-OHD and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and high plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and PTH concentrations seen in the mature S rats have also been reported for elderly patients with low-renin (salt-induced) hypertension. An implication of this study is that low vitamin D status may occur with age in salt-sensitive individuals, even when salt intake is normal.

Animals↗

Effect of salt loading on nitric oxide synthase expression in normotensive rats.

Elevation of arterial blood pressure (BP) with high salt intake in Dahl salt-sensitive rats is associated and perhaps, in part, due to downregulation of renal and vascular production of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expressions. Several recent studies have revealed a significant increase in BP in Sprague-Dawley rats on high salt intake. Given the apparent salt sensitivity of Sprague-Dawley rats, we hypothesized that chronic high salt intake may affect NO system in these rats in a manner resembling that reported in salt-sensitive (not salt-resistant) Dahl rats. The effects of a high salt diet (chow containing 8% NaCl) of 48-h or 3-week duration was studied on immunodetectable endothelial (eNOS), inducible (iNOS), and neuronal (nNOS) NOS expressions of relevant organs in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results were compared with those obtained in the control animals fed a regular no-added salt diet (0.2% NaCl). Consumption of a high salt diet for 3 weeks induced hypertension (HTN) (158 +/- 6 v 115 +/- 5 mm Hg, P < .01) and widespread downregulation of iNOS expression in renal cortex, renal medulla, aorta, and heart. Similarly, chronic salt loading resulted in marked downregulation of eNOS expression in renal cortex and aorta and lowered expressions of nNOS in the brain, renal cortex, and renal medulla. In comparison, short-term salt loading resulted in significant reduction of iNOS in the renal cortex and aorta and of eNOS in the aorta together with significant elevation of nNOS expression in renal medulla and brain. Thus, chronic consumption of a high salt diet resulted in moderate HTN in normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats. This was accompanied by widespread downregulation of various NOS isotypes that undoubtedly contributed to the development and maintenance of HTN in this model.

Animals↗

Renin-angiotensin system function and blood pressure in adult rats after perinatal salt overload.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To study the influence of high salt intake during pregnancy and lactation on body weight, blood pressure, and the function of the renin-angiotensin system in adult rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Female Wistar rats received a low (0.15 NaCl), normal (1.30), or high (8% diet) salt diet. Mating occurred on the 12th week of age. From weaning, the offspring received normal salt diet. Weekly tail-cuff blood pressure and body weight measurements were performed during pregnancy and in the offspring (body weight since weaning and tail-cuff blood pressure between the 8th and the 12th week of age). Salt sensitivity of the blood pressure was evaluated and plasma renin activity determinations were performed in the 12-week-old offspring. Immunohistochemistry for renal angiotensin II was performed in the adult offspring. Renal mass and the number of glomeruli were determined. Tail-cuff blood pressure was higher in salt overloaded dams than in normal and low salt ones. In the adult offspring from the high salt dams, lower body weight, higher tail-cuff blood pressure, lower salt sensitivity in females, and increased kidney angiotensin II were observed. Plasma renin activity did not change with changes in salt intake in the adult offspring submitted to high salt environment during the perinatal period. In the offspring, renal mass and the number of glomeruli were not influenced by the dams' salt intake. CONCLUSIONS: Salt overload during pregnancy and/or lactation has long-term effects on offspring's body weight and blood pressure. In addition, high salt diet during the perinatal period induced renin-angiotensin system functional disturbances in the offspring.

Angiotensin II↗

Abnormal relationship between sodium intake and sympathetic nervous system activity in salt-sensitive patients with essential hypertension.

To examine the mechanisms underlying the sensitivity to sodium intake in a subset of patients with essential hypertension, we studied the effects of different sodium intake (10, 100, 200 mEq/day) on blood pressure, the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and on blood levels of catecholamines in 20 patients with essential hypertension and 10 normal subjects. Mean blood pressure (MBP) was not different in hypertensive and normal subjects during low sodium diet. But, with high sodium intake, MBP increased by at least 10% in 12 patients (salt-sensitive), whereas in the remaining 8 patients (salt-resistant) and in normal subjects, MBP did not change significantly. This phenomenon cannot be attributed to differences in sodium retention because the percent change in body weight ad the urinary sodium excretion in the salt-sensitive patients was not different than it was in salt-resistant patients or in normal subjects. The observed difference in blood pressure response to high sodium intake in salt-sensitive patients is also not dependent on an impaired suppressibility of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system because there were no significant differences in the basal levels of PRA and aldosterone between the groups, and because the orthostatic increments in PRA were significantly lower in salt sensitive than they were in the salt-resistant patients and in normal subjects. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were not significantly different between normal subjects or hypertensive patients while on low sodium intake. But during high sodium intake, they decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) in normal subjects (from 22 +/- 3.4 to 12 +/- 2.3 ng/dl) and in salt-resistant patients (from 17 +/- 4.5 to 13 +/- 2.4 ng/dl) but not in salt-sensitive patients (from 20 +/- 1.9 to 22 +/- 3.2 ng/dl). Furthermore, the majority of salt-sensitive patients displayed inappropriately high plasma NE in relation to their urine excretion of sodium during high sodium intake. Finally, the increments in plasma NE after 5 min of standing were significantly greater in salt-sensitive patients than they were in salt-resistant patients and normal subjects during both low or high sodium intake. These data indicate that a subset of patients with essential hypertension may have impaired suppressibility of plasma NE during high sodium intake, which suggests hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system in these patients. These aberrations may be responsible for the increase in MBP in the salt-sensitive patients during high sodium intake.

Adult↗

Salt-induced exacerbation of morning surge in blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

The morning surge in blood pressure (BP) is related to the morning occurrence of lethal cardiovascular events. We tested the hypothesis that salt intake may be associated with the morning surge in BP in essential hypertension. Seventy-six patients were admitted and placed on a low salt diet (2 g/day) for 7 days followed by a high salt diet (20-23 g/day) for another 7 days. At the end of each salt diet, 24-h ambulatory BP and heart rate monitorings and head-up tilt (HUT) test were performed. Patients whose average mean BP (MBP) was increased by more than 10% by salt loading were assigned to the salt-sensitive (SS) group (n = 37); the remaining patients, whose MBP was increased by less than 10%, were assigned to the non-salt-sensitive (NSS) group (n = 39). The increase in ambulatory MBP during 6.30-8.00 am above the baseline (2.00-4.00 am) was significantly enhanced by salt loading in the NSS group (P < 0.05), but not in the SS group. The coefficient of variation of 24-h MBP and heart rate was increased by salt loading only in the NSS group. The significant elevation of plasma noradrenaline concentration after awakening, which was noted during the low salt diet period, was unchanged during the high salt diet period in the NSS group, but abolished in the SS group. Salt loading enhanced HUT-induced decrease in systolic BP without affecting the heart rate response only in the NSS group. We conclude that the morning surge in BP is enhanced by salt loading in the NSS type of essential hyper- tension, presumably by the excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14, 57-64.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

Dietary salt alters pulmonary function during exercise in exercise-induced asthmatics.

Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that dietary salt may play a role in airway responsiveness. We have previously shown that a low salt diet improves and a high salt diet exacerbates post-exercise pulmonary function in individuals with exercise-induced asthma. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of both elevated and restricted salt diets on pulmonary function during exercise in individuals with exercise-induced asthma. Nine men and six women participated in this double-blind, crossover study. The participants entered the study on their normal salt diet and were placed on either a low or high salt diet for 2 weeks. Each diet was randomized, with a 1 week washout period between diets before crossing over to the alternative diet for 2 weeks. The participants underwent treadmill testing at 85% of their age-predicted heart rate on the normal salt diet and at the end of each treatment period. Pulmonary function was assessed during exercise by arterial saturation (ear oximetry) and indirect calorimetry. Twenty-four hour urine collections confirmed compliance with the diets. Arterial saturation was reduced on the high and improved on the low salt diet at higher exercise intensities. Tidal volume and frequency selection during exercise varied with the diets, with a higher tidal volume and lower frequency on the high salt diet, but a lower tidal volume and higher frequency on the low salt diet. This suggested greater airway resistance during the high salt diet. In conclusion, the low salt diet improved and the high salt diet exacerbated pulmonary function during exercise in individuals with exercise-induced asthma. The mechanism of action remains unclear.

Adult↗

Impact after 1 year of compulsory iodisation on the iodine content of table salt at retailer level in South Africa.

The short-term effectiveness of introducing compulsory iodisation through revised health legislation, evaluated in terms of the iodine content of iodised table salt, was investigated in three of the nine provinces in South Africa. Shortly before the introduction of compulsory iodisation of table salt in December 1995, iodised at a higher level than before, 187 iodised salt samples were purchased at retailers in 48 magisterial districts situated in the three provinces of Western and Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga for analysis of the iodine content using the titration method. In a follow-up 1 year later 287 iodised salt samples were obtained from the same retailers for iodine determination. The mean iodine content of iodised salt increased significantly from 14 to 33 ppm. However, large variation in the iodine content of iodised table salt among and within salt brands existed at follow-up, and the mean iodine content was lower than the legal specification of 40 to 60 ppm. Only 24% of the samples were found within the range required by the law at follow-up compared to 42% before revising the salt legislation. Despite the introduction of compulsory salt iodisation, the mean retail price of iodised salt remained the same between 1995 and 1996 for a 500 g package of salt. Further refinement of the iodisation process is necessary to improve the accuracy of iodisation and decrease the variation in iodine content. This study nevertheless showed that the introduction of compulsory iodisation and elevating the legally specified iodine level of table salt resulted in a significantly elevated mean iodine level of iodised salt within 1 year, without any additional cost to the consumer.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Large-scale opening of A + T rich regions within supercoiled DNA molecules is suppressed by salt.

Large-scale cooperative helix opening has been previously observed in A + T rich sequences contained in supercoiled DNA molecules at elevated temperatures. Since it is well known that helix melting of linear DNA is suppressed by addition of salt, we have investigated the effects of added salts on opening transitions in negatively supercoiled DNA circles. We have found that localised large-scale stable melting in supercoiled DNA is strongly suppressed by modest elevation of salt concentration, in the range 10 to 30 mM sodium. This has been shown in a number of independent ways: 1. The temperature required to promote cruciform extrusion by the pathway that proceeds via the coordinate large-scale opening of an A + T rich region surrounding the inverted repeat (the C-type pathway, first observed in the extrusion of the ColE1 inverted repeat) is elevated by addition of salt. The temperature required for extrusion was increased by about 4 deg for an addition of 10 mM NaCl. 2. A + T rich regions in supercoiled DNA exhibit hyperreactivity towards osmium tetroxide as the temperature is raised; this reactivity is strongly suppressed by the addition of salt. At low salt concentrations of added NaCl (10 mM) we observe that there is an approximate equivalence between reducing the salt concentration, and the elevation of temperature. Above 30 mM NaCl the reactivity of the ColE1 sequences is completely supressed at normal temperatures. 3. Stable helix opening transitions in A + T rich sequences may be observed with elevated temperature, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; these transitions become progressively harder to demonstrate with the addition of salt. With the addition of low concentrations of salt, the onset of opening transitions shifts to higher superhelix density, and by 30 mM NaCl or more, no transitions are visible up to a temperature of 50 degrees C. Statistical mechanical simulation of the data indicate that the cooperativity free energy for the transition is unaltered by addition of salt, but that the free energy cost for opening each basepair is increased. These results demonstrate that addition of even relatively low concentrations of salt strongly suppress the large-scale helix opening of A + T rich regions, even at high levels of negative supercoiling. While the opening at low salt concentrations may reveal a propensity for such transitions, spontaneous opening is very unlikely under physiological conditions of salt, temperature and superhelicity, and we conclude that proteins will therefore be required to facilitate opening transitions in cellular DNA.

Base Composition↗