This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 48/6/1103    most recent 01.HYP.0000248837.88749.18v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Engeli, S. Articles by Jordan, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Engeli, S. Articles by Jordan, J. Related Collections Clinical Studies Obesity ACE/Angiotension receptors

(Hypertension. 2006;48:1103.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Articles

Influence of Salt Intake on Renin–Angiotensin and Natriuretic Peptide System Genes in Human Adipose Tissue

Stefan Engeli; Michael Boschmann; Petra Frings; Luis Beck; Jürgen Janke; Jens Titze; Friedrich C. Luft; Martina Heer; Jens Jordan

From the Franz Volhard Clinical Research Center (S.E., M.B., J. Janke, F.C.L., J. Jordan), Medical Faculty of the Charité and Helios Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (P.F., L.B., M.H.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany; and the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension (J.T.), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen, Nürnberg, Germany.

Correspondence to Jens Jordan, Franz Volhard Clinical Research Center, Haus 129, Charité Campus Buch, Wiltbergstr 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany. E-mail jens.jordan{at}charite.de

We tested the hypothesis that changes in sodium intake modulate adipose-tissue renin–angiotensin and natriuretic peptide system gene expression in humans. We studied 9 healthy young men in a metabolic ward at constant room temperature, humidity, and water, potassium, and calcium intake. Subjects were submitted to 4 different periods of sodium intake, and blood samples, microdialysis samples (interstitial fluid), and biopsies from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue were obtained at the end of the low-sodium period (0.7 mmol Na/kg per day) and at the end of the high-sodium period (7.7 mmol Na/kg per day). Urinary sodium excretion was 64±4 mmol per day with the low-sodium diet and 521±8 mmol per day with the high-sodium diet. Systemic and microdialysate sodium concentrations were similar with both interventions. With high-sodium intake, systemic renin activity and aldosterone levels were suppressed, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity did not change, and systemic levels of the atrial natriuretic peptide increased. High-sodium diet increased angiotensin-converting enzyme and atrial natriuretic peptide gene expression in adipose tissue. None of the other genes tested were influenced by changes in dietary sodium intake. Our findings suggest that the adipose-tissue renin–angiotensin system is not part of a feedback mechanism regulating sodium homeostasis and blood pressure. Systemic and adipose-tissue renin–angiotensin systems are regulated at least in part independently from each other. In contrast, systemic atrial natriuretic peptide and adipose-tissue atrial natriuretic peptide respond similarly to changes in sodium intake.

Key Words: adipose tissue • gene expression • renin • angiotensinogen • aldosterone • atrial natriuretic peptide • sodium intake