Dietary sodium reduction, inflammation and oxidative stress in hypertensives: a randomized controlled trial

Excessive sodium intake remains a deadly threat worldwide. Although population-wide sodium reduction, an important public health effort, has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality, the basic biological mechanisms underlying the effects of sodium intake on BP and CVD are not well understood. Inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized as two key factors in the development of hypertension, cardiovascular and renal disease. Animal studies have revealed that high sodium diets lead to tissue inflammation and oxidative stress. However, translational evidence of dietary sodium on inflammation and oxidative stress in humans is scarce. The goal of this application utilizing the two largest sodium reduction trials, the UK Salt-Reduction and US DASH-Sodium, is to test the hypothesis that modest reduction in dietary sodium intake as currently recommended leads to significant reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with and without hypertension. We will also determine whether there is race, sex, or obesity influence on individual response to modest sodium reduction and whether reduced inflammation and oxidative stress mediate the beneficial effects of modest sodium reduction on BP. Our study will advance the understanding of the effects of modest sodium reduction as currently recommended on inflammation and oxidative, the two key pathways underlying CVD and stroke. Knowledge gained will help to develop alternative treatments (i.e. anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative therapies) for salt-related hypertension, CVD and other chronic diseases. In addition, race, sex or obesity difference information may help develop personalized preventative and treatment strategies. (AHA Program: Grant-in-Aid)