American Physiological Society, American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology, 1(315), p. F110-F122, 2018
DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00379.2017
Full text: Unavailable
The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) of the kidney plays an important role in blood pressure regulation by modulating Na+reabsorption via the Na+-Cl−cotransporter (NCC). A diet containing high salt (NaCl) and low K+activates NCC, thereby causing Na+retention and a rise in blood pressure. Since high blood pressure, hypertension, is associated with changes in serum calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) levels, we hypothesized that dietary Na+and K+intake affects Ca2+and Mg2+transport in the DCT. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a high-Na+/low-K+diet on renal Ca2+and Mg2+handling. Mice were divided in four groups and fed a normal-Na+/normal-K+, normal-Na+/low-K+, high-Na+/normal-K+, or high-Na+/low-K+diet for 4 days. Serum and urine were collected for electrolyte and hormone analysis. Gene and protein expression of electrolyte transporters were assessed in kidney and intestine by qPCR and immunoblotting. Whereas Mg2+homeostasis was not affected, the mice had elevated urinary Ca2+and phosphate (Pi) excretion upon high Na+intake, as well as significantly lower serum Ca2+levels in the high-Na+/low-K+group. Alterations in the gene and protein expression of players involved in Ca2+and Pitransport indicate that reabsorption in the proximal tubular and TAL is affected, while inducing a compensatory response in the DCT. These effects may contribute to the negative health impact of a high-salt diet, including kidney stone formation, chronic kidney disease, and loss of bone mineral density.