Preconditioning with diazoxide prevents reoxygenation-induced rigor-type hypercontracture.

Ischemic preconditioning has a powerful protective potential against a reperfusion-induced injury of the post-ischemic myocardium. Cardiomyocyte hypercontracture, i.e. excessive cell shortening, is an essential mechanism of the reperfusion-induced injury. Rigor contracture, i.e. Ca(2+)-independent contracture, has been shown to be an import component of the reperfusion-induced hypercontracture. Since rigor contracture is dependent on the rapidity of the metabolic recovery during reoxygenation, we hypothesized that preconditioning of the cardiomyocyte mitochondria may improve mitochondrial function to restore the energy balance during the initial phase of reoxygenation and may thus prevent rigor contracture. For this purpose adult rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to anoxia with subsequent reoxygenation. For preconditioning, cells were pre-treated with the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener diazoxide. Pre-treatment with 100 micromol/l diazoxide significantly reduced the reoxygenation-induced hypercontracture of cardiomyocytes due to an attenuation of the Ca(2+)-independent rigor-type contracture, which was accompanied by an acceleration of the phosphocreatine resynthesis during the initial phase of reoxygenation. Treatment with the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 micromol/l) during preconditioning phase abolished these protective effects. Similarly, partial suppression of the mitochondrial function with 100 micromol/l NaCN during the reoxygenation phase abolished the diazoxide effects. Finally, in isolated rat hearts, preconditioning with diazoxide prior to global ischemia significantly improved left ventricular function and attenuated hypercontracture during reperfusion. This effect could be abolished by the treatment with 100 micromol/l NaCN during reperfusion. Taken together, pharmacological preconditioning of cardiomyocytes with diazoxide protects against the reoxygenation-induced rigor hypercontracture due to an improvement of the energy recovery at the onset of reoxygenation.

Nemorosone blocks proliferation and induces apoptosis in leukemia cells.

OBJECTIVE: This work is aimed at characterizing nemorosone, isolated from Clusia rosea, as a potential antileukemic agent. In addition, we analyzed its influence on hematopoiesis in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The isolation of nemorosone was carried out employing the RP-HPLC (reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography) technique. Cytotoxicity was assessed in human leukemia cell lines including parental and chemotherapy-refractory sublines based on the MTT compound. Its effects on the cell cycle were analyzed using FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) and Western blot techniques. Studies on the drug-induced early apoptotic process were carried out by means of fluorescence microscopy. Major signal transducers and the enzymatic inhibition of immunoprecipitated Akt/PKB were detected by Western blot. Hematopoiesis was analyzed in NMRI nu/nu mice after chronic nemorosone treatment, measuring hematological parameters by conventional laboratory techniques. RESULTS: Nemorosone proved cytotoxic in both parental and chemoresistant leukemia cell lines with IC50 values between 2.10 and 3.10 mg/ml. No cross-resistances could be detected. Cell cycle studies showed apoptosis induction accompanied by an increase in the G0/G1 population in both cell lines studied, whereas a significant decrease in the S-phase was found in Jurkat cells. Nemorosone induced a down-regulation of cyclins A, B1, D1, and E as well as a dephosphorylation of cdc2. Major signal transduction elements such as ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, as well as important oncoproteins such as c-Myb and BCR/ABL were also found down-regulated. The enzymatic activity of immunoprecipitated Akt/PKB was substantially inhibited in vitro. Moreover, subchronic nemorosone treatment induced reversible monocytosis and thrombocytosis in the mouse model examined. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate for the first time that nemorosone exerts cytotoxicity in leukemia cells, partly by targeting the Akt/PKB signal transducer, affecting protein levels and cell cycle progression. Finally, in vivo studies suggest that nemorosone significantly affects hematopoiesis in mice.

Mucronulatol from Caribbean propolis exerts cytotoxic effects on human tumor cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: Mucronulatol is one of the most cytotoxic substances present in Caribbean propolis. This work aimed at initially characterizing the biological effects of mucronulatol in cancer cell lines comprehending both wildtype and resistant sublines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An RP-HPLC technique was employed to separate and purify mucronulatol. IC(50) values were determined using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) proliferation assay. FACS-based cell cycle studies were carried out combining propidium iodide staining and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Cell cycle regulator proteins were detected by Western blotting. The transcription of genes of interest was analyzed using RT-PCR. RESULTS: In MDR1-/MDR3+ cells, mucronulatol exhibited cytotoxicity in the range of 2.7 - 10.2 microg/ml, while no cytotoxic effects were observed in MDR1+ systems at up to 100 microg/ml. Cytometric studies revealed that mucronulatol promoted a global reduction in all cell cycle phases, with a remarkable increase of the apoptotic sub-G1 population. Immunoblotting showed that mucronulatol induced an up-regulation of p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) while down-regulating cyclin E and CDK4 in a drug concentration-dependent manner. No effect on topoisomerase I was observed, while we detected an altered expression of topoisomerases II-I+/-/I(2). RT-PCR studies showed that 2-fold the IC(50) in HCT8 colon carcinoma cells was sufficient for altering the expression pattern of genes in this cell line, including topoisomerase I, thymidilate synthase, EGF receptor and c-myc, amongst others. CONCLUSION: Here, we demonstrate for the first time that mucronulatol exerts cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines by targeting the control of cell cycle progression, indicating that the mechanism of action of this compound involves interference with the cell cycle machinery.

Cytotoxic activity of nemorosone in neuroblastoma cells.

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour during childhood, characterized by rapid disease progression. Most children with metastasized neuroblastoma die despite intensive chemotherapy due to an intrinsic or acquired chemotherapy resistance. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Here, we demonstrate that the novel compound nemorosone isolated from alcoholic extracts of Clusia rosea resins by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) exerts cytotoxic activity in neuroblas-toma cell lines both parental and their clones selected for resistance against adriamycin, cisplatin, etoposide or 5-fluorouracil. Cell cycle studies revealed that nemorosone induces an accumulation in G0/G1- with a reduction in S-phase population combined with a robust up-regulation of p21Cip1. Furthermore, a dose-dependent apoptotic DNA laddering accompanied by an activation of caspase-3 activity was detected. Nemorosone induced a significant dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 in LAN-1 parental cells probably by the inhibition of its upstream kinase MEK1/2. No significant modulation of signal transducers JNK, p38 MAPK and Akt/PKB was detected. The enzymatic activity of immunoprecipitated Akt/PKB was strongly inhibited in vitro, suggesting that nemorosone exerts its anti-proliferative activity at least in part by targeting Akt/PKB in the cell lines studied. In addition, a synergistic effect with Raf-1 inhibitor BAY 43-9006 was found. Finally, nemorosone induced a considerable down-regulation of N-myc protein levels in parental LAN-1 and an etoposide resistant sub-line at the same drug-concentrations.

Acidic pre-conditioning suppresses apoptosis and increases expression of Bcl-xL in coronary endothelial cells under simulated ischaemia.

Ischaemic pre-conditioning has a powerful protective potential against ischaemia-induced cell death, and acidosis is an important feature of ischaemia and can lead to apoptosis. Here we tested whether pre-conditioning with acidosis, that is, acidic pre-conditioning (APC), may protect coronary endothelial cells (EC) against apoptosis induced by simulated ischaemia. For pre-conditioning, EC were exposed fo 40 min. to acidosis (pH 6.4) followed by a 14-hrs recovery period (pH 7.4) and finally treated for 2 hrs with simulated ischaemia (glucose-free anoxia at pH 6.4). Cells undergoing apoptosis were visualized by chromatin staining or by determination of caspase-3 activity Simulated ischaemia in untreated EC increased caspase-3 activity and the number of apoptotic cell (31.3 +/- 1.3%versus 3.9 +/- 0.6% in control). APC significantly reduced the rate of apoptosis (14.2 +/- 1.3%) and caspase-3 activity. Western blot analysis exploring the under lying mechanism leading to this protection revealed suppression of the endoplasmic reticulum- (reduced cleavage of caspase-12) and mitochondria-mediated (reduced cytochrome C release) pathways of apoptosis. These effects were associated with an over-expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL 14 hrs after APC, whereas no effect on the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, procaspase-12, reticulum-localized chaperones (GRP78, calreticulin), HSP70, HSP32 and HSP27 could be detected. Knock-down of Bcl-xL by siRNA-treatment prevented the protective effect of APC. In conclusion, short acidic pre-treatment can protect EC against ischaemic apoptosis. The mechanism of this protection consists of suppression of the endoplasmic reticulum- and mitochondria-mediated pathways. Over-expression of the anti apoptotic protein Bcl-xL is responsible for the increased resistance to apoptosis during ischaemic insult.

Regulation of Raf by Akt controls growth and differentiation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The stimulation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors shifts vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells toward a more proliferative phenotype. Thrombin activates the same signaling cascades in VSM cells, namely the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt pathways. Nonetheless, thrombin was not mitogenic, but rather increased the expression of the smooth muscle-specific myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) indicative of an in vitro re-differentiation of VSM cells. A more detailed analysis of the temporal pattern and relative signal intensities revealed marked differences. The strong and biphasic phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in response to thrombin correlated with its ability to increase the activity of the SM-MHC promoter whereas Akt was only partially and transiently phosphorylated. By contrast, PDGF, a potent mitogen in VSM cells, induced a short-lived ERK1/2 phosphorylation but a complete and sustained phosphorylation of Akt. The phosphorylated form of Akt physically interacted with Raf. Moreover, Akt phosphorylated Raf at Ser(259), resulting in a reduced Raf kinase activity and a termination of MEK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Disruption of the PI 3-kinase signaling prevented the PDGF-induced Akt and Raf-Ser(259) phosphorylation. Under these conditions, PDGF elicited a more sustained MEK and ERK phosphorylation and increased SM-MHC promoter activity. Consistently, in cells that express dominant negative Akt, PDGF increased SM-MHC promoter activity. Furthermore, expression of constitutively active Akt blocked the thrombin-stimulated SM-MHC promoter activity. Thus, we present evidence that the balance and cross-regulation between the PI 3-kinase/Akt and Ras/Raf/MEK signaling cascades determine the temporal pattern of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and may thereby guide the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Gbeta gamma mediate differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Proliferation and subsequent dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and postangioplastic restenosis. The dedifferentiation of VSM cells in vivo or in cell culture is characterized by a loss of contractile proteins such as smooth muscle-specific alpha-actin and myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC). Serum increased the expression of contractile proteins in neonatal rat VSM cells, indicating a redifferentiation process. RNase protection assays defined thrombin as a serum component that increases the abundance of SM-MHC transcripts. Additionally, serum and thrombin transiently elevated cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations, led to a biphasic extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, up-regulated a transfected SM-MHC promoter construct, and induced expression of the contractile proteins SM-MHC and alpha-actin. Pertussis toxin, N17-Ras/Raf, and PD98059 prevented both the serum- and thrombin-induced second phase ERK phosphorylation and SM-MHC promoter activation. Constitutively active Galpha(q), Galpha(i), Galpha(12), and Galpha(13) failed to up-regulate SM-MHC transcription, whereas Gbetagamma concentration-dependently increased the SM-MHC promoter activity. Furthermore, the Gbetagamma scavenger beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 C-terminal peptide abolished the serum-mediated differentiation. We conclude that receptor-mediated differentiation of VSM cells requires Gbetagamma and an intact Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling.

Activation of JNK/SAPK and ERK by mechanical strain in vascular smooth muscle cells depends on extracellular matrix composition.

Application of cyclic mechanical strain to vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells elicits distinct cellular responses depending on extracellular matrix composition. We now examine activation of p42/p44 MAP kinase (ERK) and c-jun amino terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) by cyclic (1 Hz) mechanical strain in neonatal rat VSM cells cultured on pronectin or laminin. In cells grown on pronectin, mechanical strain activated both ERKs (peak 10-30 min) and JNK/SAPK (peak 15-30 min). On laminin, mechanical strain induced a comparable activation of JNK/SAPK to that seen on pronectin, but no significant activation of ERKs. In contrast, application of strain to adult VSM cells activated both enzymes independently of extracellular matrix composition. In neonatal VSM cells, cyclic strain induced SM-1 smooth muscle myosin in cells cultured on laminin, but not on pronectin.. Thus in neonatal VSM cells, activation of ERKs and induction of SM-1 myosin by mechanical strain depend on extracellular matrix composition.

Potential effect of metabolic acidosis on beta 2-microglobulin generation: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) is responsible for dialysis-associated amyloidosis. Level of beta 2M in plasma increase during chronic renal failure; however, retention does not appear to be the sole mechanism responsible. The effect of metabolic acidosis on beta 2M production was examined. Thirty-six patients with stable chronic renal insufficiency, 12 uremic patients before their first dialysis, 8 hemodialysis patients who were assigned to acetate or bicarbonate dialysate and then crossed over to the alternative regimen, and 6 normal subjects given NH4Cl to initiate metabolic acidosis were studied. In vitro studies in the human myeloid cell line U 937 were also performed. beta 2M protein was measured with ELISA, beta 2M mRNA was measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the U 937 cells were studied at two pH levels with FACScan flow cytometry. The cells were exposed in vitro up to 60 min in a buffered incubation medium to either pH 5.10 or pH 7.34. An inverse correlation was found between beta 2M and bicarbonate concentrations in plasma in the stable chronic renal failure patients (r = -0.54; P < 0.05) and in the uremic patients before their first dialysis (r = -0.72; P < 0.05). In hemodialysis patients, blood pH and plasma bicarbonate values were lower (P < 0.05) and beta 2M concentrations in plasma were higher (P < 0.05) with acetate than with bicarbonate dialysate. In normal men, NH4Cl resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in beta 2M mRNA expression in lymphocytes by an average factor of 1.5 (range, 1.1 to 1.8). In U 937 cells, the cell surface expression of beta 2M and HLA Class I heavy chain assembled with beta 2M decreased at low pH compared with normal pH. Concomitantly, an increase in beta 2M release into the supernatant was observed, possibly as the result of beta 2M dissociation from cell surface HLA Class I complex. The results suggest that metabolic acidosis may enhance cellular beta 2M generation and release.

Light-chain-induced renal tubular acidosis: effect of sodium bicarbonate on sodium-proton exchange.

We measured sodium-proton (Na+/H+) exchange in lymphocytes and platelets of a 46-year-old woman with the adult Fanconi syndrome before, during, and after treatment with NaHCO3. Kappa light chains in her urine and unique but rarely observed crystalline structures confirmed the presence of light-chain nephropathy. Her glomerular filtration rate was only moderately impaired at 72 ml/min. NaHCO3 at 1, 3, and 5 mmol/kg/day for 5 days increased her serum HCO3 and pH from 17 to 21 mmol/l and 7.28 to 7.39 respectively. Plasma renin and aldosterone values were decreased by NaHCO3. Na+/H+ exchange (delta Hi/min) was measured with the fluorescent marker BCECF after acidification of lymphocytes and platelets with sodium propionate at five (10-50 mM) doses. Na+/H+ exchange was accelerated in this patient compared to normal controls. NaHCO3 treatment significantly decreased Na+/H+ exchange in lymphocytes, but not in platelets. These findings suggest that Na+/H+ exchange can be influenced by NaHCO3 ingestion at doses that only modestly affect systemic pH. Since Na+/H+ exchange is involved in stimulus response coupling, cell growth regulation, cell differentiation, and perhaps the progression of nephrosclerosis, these observations may have clinical relevance.

Osmotic activation of a Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger.

In many systems, osmotically induced cell shrinkage activates the Na+/H+ exchanger. To assess the role of H(+)-extruding transporters in the response to osmotic shrinkage in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, intracellular pH (pHi) was measured with 2',7'-bis(carboxy-ethyl)-5(6)- carboxyfluorescein-acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) after exposing cells to hypertonic medium. In nominally HCO(3-)-free medium, addition of 200 mM sucrose caused pHi to increase 0.33 pH unit on average in VSM cells but only 0.13 pH unit in CHO cells. Permeant solutes failed to increase pHi significantly. Cytochalasin B (1-20 microM), colchicine (1-10 microM), Ca2+ removal, and downregulation of protein kinase C activity did not affect osmotic activation of H+ extrusion in either cell type. Additional work was carried out to determine why osmotic activation of H+ extrusion was less in CHO than in VSM cells. In CHO cells, the osmotically induced delta pHi was only weakly sensitive to amiloride, suggesting that osmotic forces may activate an H+ transport system other than Na+/H+ exchange. In the presence of 10 mM HCO3-, osmotically induced delta pHi decreased by 60% in VSM cells but increased by 50% in CHO cells compared with the delta pHi in HCO(3-)-free medium. Lastly, removal of extracellular Cl- did not affect osmotically induced delta pHi in VSM cells but completely abolished the response in CHO cells. We conclude that in VSM cells osmotically induced changes in pHi are mediated by Na+/H+ exchange, whereas in CHO cells they are most likely mediated by a Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger.

Activation of Na+/H+ exchange by platelet-derived growth factor involves phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and phospholipase C gamma.

The effect of site-specific mutations in the mouse platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor on activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger was examined in normal murine mammary gland epithelial (NMuMG) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. These cells, which do not normally express PDGF receptors, were stably transfected with PDGF beta-receptor cDNA. Intracellular pH and Ca2+ were monitored using fluorescent probes. In both NMuMG and CHO cells expressing wild-type PDGF beta-receptors, PDGF B/B activated the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger. In both cell types, cell alkalinization was reduced by approximately 50% with a receptor mutant Y708F,Y719F which cannot bind phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase. An inhibitor of PI 3'-kinase, LY294002, also inhibited alkalinization by 43% in cells with wild-type, but not Y708F,Y719F receptors. PDGF-induced intracellular Ca2+ release was not affected by this mutation. Both alkalinization and Ca2+ release were reduced by nearly 100% with the mutant Y977F,Y989F, which cannot bind phospholipase C gamma (PLC gamma). Y739F, a mutant that fails to bind the GTPase-activating protein did not affect PDGF-induced alkalinization. In protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulated NMuMG cells (wild-type receptor), PDGF no longer activated the Na+/H+ exchanger. In contrast, in PKC down-regulated CHO cells (wild-type receptor), PDGF-induced alkalinization was attenuated by only 37%. This residual activity was unaffected by the Y708F,Y719F mutation, but was completely eliminated by removal of medium Ca2+. These findings indicate that phospholipase C gamma is essential for activation of Na+/H+ exchange. PI 3'-kinase participates in PKC-dependent activation of Na+/H+ exchange by PDGF. In CHO cells, there is a second, Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism for activation of the exchanger.

Enhanced Na(+)-H+ exchanger activity and NHE-1 mRNA levels in human lymphocytes during metabolic acidosis.

It has recently been demonstrated that uremic metabolic acidosis and experimental metabolic acidosis caused by ingestion of ammonium chloride coincide with increased Na(+)-H+ exchanger (NHE-1) activity in human blood cells. In the present study, we investigated whether an increased level of NHE-1 specific mRNA in human lymphocytes during the course of an experimental metabolic acidosis could explain the enhanced transport activity during metabolic acidosis. Six healthy individuals were studied before and after 5 days of taking 15 g of ammonium chloride daily. Plasma pH and bicarbonate decreased significantly, from 7.42 +/- 0.027 to 7.28 +/- 0.05 and from 26.7 +/- 2.0 to 15.6 +/- 2.9 mM, respectively. Basal cytosolic pH (pHi) and Na(+)-H+ exchange activity were measured in lymphocytes loaded with the fluorescent pHi indicator 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Basal pHi remained unchanged during metabolic acidosis (7.03 +/- 0.07 vs. 7.03 +/- 0.06). Ethylisopropylamiloride-sensitive pHi recovery increased from 0.046 +/- 0.007 to 0.076 +/- 0.012 dpHi/min (P < 0.0001). The transcript level of NHE-1 mRNA was measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in comparison with a constitutively expressed reference gene (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). NHE-1 mRNA in human lymphocytes increased 1.5-fold in metabolic acidosis. These data suggest that the increased Na(+)-H+ exchange activity in metabolic acidosis may be caused by de novo synthesis of antiport protein.

Na+/H+ exchange in human lymphocytes and platelets in chronic and subacute metabolic acidosis.

The effect of acid-base disturbances on sodium/proton (Na+/H+) exchange has been examined in animal models; however, few data are available from human studies. To test the effect of metabolic acidosis on Na+/H+ exchange in man, as well as to examine the relationship between Na+/H+ exchange and cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), we measured both variables in patients with decreased renal function with mild metabolic acidosis (pH 7.34 +/- 0.06), in normal control subjects (pH 7.41 +/- 0.02), and in subjects before (pH 7.40 +/- 0.01), and after (pH 7.26 +/- 0.04) ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) 15 g for 5 d. Lymphocytes and platelets were loaded with the cytosolic pH (pHi) indicator 2'-7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein and acidified to pH approximately 6.6 with propionic acid. To quantitate Na+/H+ exchange, dpHi/dt was determined at 1 min. [Ca2+]i was measured with fura-2. Na+/H+ exchange was significantly increased only in lymphocytes of patients with renal insufficiency. Neither intracellular pH (pHi) nor [Ca2+]i was different from controls. NH4Cl resulted in a significant increase in Na+/H+ exchange in lymphocytes, but not in platelets of normal subjects. Values of pHi and [Ca2+]i in either cell type remained unaffected. Since metabolic acidosis influenced Na+/H+ only in lymphocytes, but not in platelets, it is possible that protein synthesis may be involved in increasing Na+/H+ exchange.

Increased concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in milk and platelet rich plasma of grass-fed cows.

Epidemiological data indicate that omega-3 fatty acids protect from cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia. Cold water fish is the major recognized source of omega-3 fatty acids but fish is not a staple food in many countries. Since terrestrial green plants may also represent a source of omega-3 fatty acids we tested the hypothesis that platelet rich plasma and milk from cows feeding exclusively on green grass contains more omega-3 fatty acids than milk from cows fed conserved grass. The relative concentrations of linolenic acid (18:3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) and the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (20:4) which is critical for the formation of omega-3 derived eicosanoids were significantly higher in milk from grass fed cows. Similar changes were seen in the fatty acid composition of platelets. Half a liter of milk from grass-fed cows provides approximately 191 mg 18:3 and 14 mg 20:5. In this regard milk from grass fed cows may be nutritionally superior to milk from cows eating conserved grass.

[The role of chlorides in sodium-induced "salt-sensitive" hypertension]. / Die Rolle des Chlorids in der Natrium-induzierten "salzsensitiven" Hypertonie.

Older and more recent evidence indicates that the anion accompanying sodium plays an important role in determining whether or not the administration of a sodium load leads to an increase arterial in blood pressure. This review describes animal and human studies in which blood pressure responses to sodium administration, with or without chloride, were determined. The evidence suggests that sodium and chloride together combine to increase blood pressure in salt-sensitive models and patients. The observations have relevance to the understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension. They also have clinical relevance, since some food sources may have an abundance of one or the other ion.