title: Effects of Salt Loading on Plasma Osteoprotegerin Levels and Protective Role of Potassium Supplement in Normotensive Subjects.
abstract: Excess dietary salt is strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Conversely, potassium likely elicits favorable effects on cardiovascular disorders. In epidemiological studies, increased plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentrations are associated with atherosclerosis and vascular deaths. Our study was designed to examine the effects of salt intake and potassium supplementation on plasma OPG levels in normotensive subjects.
  
  
  
  The 18 normotensive subjects were selected from a rural community in China. They were sequentially maintained on low-salt diet for 7 days (3 g/day, NaCl), high-salt diet for 7 days (18 g/day), and high-salt diet with potassium supplementation for 7 days (18 g/day of NaCl+4.5 g/day of KCl). High-salt intake enhanced plasma OPG levels (252.7±13.9 vs. 293.4±16.1 pg/mL). This phenomenon was abolished through potassium supplementation (293.4±16.1 vs. 235.1±11.3 pg/mL). Further analyses revealed that the OPG concentration positively correlated with 24-h urinary sodium excretion (r=0.497, P<0.01). By contrast, OPG concentration negatively correlated with 24-h urinary potassium excretion (r=0.594, P<0.01).
  
  
  
  Salt loading can enhance the production of circulating OPG. Potassium supplementation can reverse the effects of excessive OPG. Our study results may improve our understanding of the roles of salt and potassium in the risk of cardiovascular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital.
authors.forename: Fu-Qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Sheng-Qiang
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Jun-Kui
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mu
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; D011188:Potassium