title: Tissue sodium storage: evidence for kidney-like extrarenal countercurrent systems?
abstract: Recent evidence from chemical analysis of tissue electrolyte and water composition has shown that body Na(+) content in experimental animals is not constant, does not always readily equilibrate with water, and cannot be exclusively controlled by the renal blood purification process. Instead, large amounts of Na(+) are stored in the skin and in skeletal muscle. Quantitative non-invasive detection of Na(+) reservoirs with sodium magnetic resonance imaging ((23)NaMRI) suggests that this mysterious Na(+) storage is not only an animal research curiosity but also exists in humans. In clinical studies, tissue Na(+) storage is closely associated with essential hypertension. In animal experiments, modulation of reservoir tissue Na(+) content leads to predictable blood pressure changes. The available evidence thus suggests that the patho(?)-physiological process of Na(+) storage might be of relevance for human health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2213 Garland Avenue, P435F Medical Research Building IV, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Lucas H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hofmeister
authors.forename: Stojan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perisic
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Titze
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium