title: The influence of Vicia faba (broad bean) seedlings on urinary sodium excretion.
abstract: Dopamine (DA) is known to increase diuresis and natriuresis through its action on renal dopaminergic receptors. Augmentation of intra-renal DA concentration by enhancement of its in situ production is greatly dependent on the availability of its precursor L-DOPA to the sites of its renal decarboxylation. Vicia faba (Vf) is a ubiquitous plant rich in easily absorbable L-DOPA. Following ingestion of 40 g freshly chopped Vf containing 120-130 mg of L-DOPA, plasma L-DOPA and urinary sodium and DA excretion increased significantly. The DA/Cre ratio reached a maximum level (280 +/- 58 micrograms/g) 60 minutes after Vf ingestion. This was significantly higher than the DA/Cre ratio after a control meal (1.8 +/- 0.2 micrograms/g; P < 0.0005). The Na/Cre ratio reached the maximal level (2.85 +/- 0.42 mmol/g) 90 minutes after Vf ingestion. This was significantly higher than the Na/ Cre ratio after the control meal (1.4 +/- 0.24 mmol/g; P < 0.005). We suggest that Vf might be of value in treating conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, and liver cirrhosis in which natriuresis and diuresis are medically beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vered
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grosskopf
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palevitch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harsat
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charach
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Graff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004298:Dopamine / Q000652:urine; D007887:Fabaceae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009318:Natriuresis; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa; D012964:Sodium; D003404:Creatinine; D011188:Potassium; D004298:Dopamine