[Salt taste threshold, 24 hour natriuresis and blood pressure variation in normotensive individuals].
OBJECTIVE
The study evaluates salt taste sensibility, urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure (BP) in normotensive persons. The hypothesis was that a higher salt taste threshold (STT) can be associated to a higher 24 hour natriuresis and increased BP levels.


METHODS
Twenty four not hypertensive volunteers were selected. To evaluate STT, different concentrations of sodium chloride were used. Individuals were submitted to 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the 24 hour urine was collected for sodium dosage. Patients were divided in two groups related to higher or normal STT.


RESULTS
Both groups did not differ regarding age or body mass index (BMI). There was no difference between the groups regarding demographic variables, alcohol or tobacco use, and ABPM. Twenty-four hour natriuresis was significantly higher in the group with increased STT. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, with the significance determined by Student-t test, there was a strong correlation between 24 hour Systolic BP and BMI, Diastolic BP and BMI, and a regular correlation between STT with 24 hour natriuresis and Systolic BP with 24 hour natriuresis.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty four hour natriuresis was significantly higher in individuals with higher STT, suggesting that this avidity for salt is followed by higher ingestion of sodium. There was strong association between BP and BMI. The association between STT and BP levels was not confirmed. Increasing the number of persons, the age bracket, and of hypertensive patients may lead to a better understanding of the relations between STT, natriuresis and BP variation.
Antonello
Vicente Sperb
VS
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS. vicente_antonello@hotmail.com
Antonello
Ivan Carlos Ferreira
IC
Santos
Carlos Abaeté de Los
CA
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009318:Natriuresis / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000502:physiology*
D012982:Sodium, Dietary