Of particular interest in this context are recent studies on huma

Of particular interest in this context are recent studies on human endothelial cell cultures which documented that above a threshold of 135 mmol/L a stepwise increase in the sodium concentration of the incubation medium progressively increases endothelial cell stiffness, causes inhibition of endothelial NO synthase and decreases release of nitric oxide; this effect was abrogated by the mineralocorticoid receptor spironolactone.30 In addition to aldosterone, digitalis-like endogenous

inhibitors of Na+, K+-ATPase have recently been recognized as one class of agents raising blood pressure in response to sodium loads.31 Recent studies clearly documented minor increases in plasma sodium concentration in hypertensive individuals.32 Changes in plasma sodium concentration are transmitted into the cerebrospinal fluid33 triggering the release of cardiotonic steroids, selleck compound namely, analogues Everolimus cell line of digitalis such as ouabain and marinobufagenin.31 In the Dahl salt-sensitive rat, a standard hypertensive animal model with an underlying mutation of the α-1 Na+, K+-ATPase, chronic salt loading increases the excretion of marinobufagenin in the urine.34 Marinobufagenin causes vasoconstriction35 and is increased

in pathological states of sodium overload, for example uraemia and preeclampsia.35,36 The most convincing proof of a key role of sodium and specifically renal sodium handling in the genesis of hypertension has been provided by studies in which heterozygous carriers of mutations of renal sodium transporters were compared with corresponding normotensive control individuals. For instance, in the study of Fava37 in the Framingham population, heterozygous carriers of the Gitelman mutation failed to have phenomena relating to the Gitelman syndrome, but had significantly Megestrol Acetate lower systolic and diastolic pressures compared to matched controls, obviously as the result of higher renal sodium excretion with a shift in the pressure/natriuresis relationship. In summary, the evidence is overwhelming that current intakes of salt contribute in

a major fashion to the current ‘epidemic’ of hypertension. This justifies public health efforts to reduce salt intakes, particularly in commercial food items,38 since it had been shown that only 15% of current salt intakes can be controlled by the patient, whilst 85% of salt is already contained in commercial food items.39 The Author states that there is no conflict of interest regarding the material discussed in the manuscript. “
“Aim:  Podocytes provide a slit diaphragm to inhibit proteinuria, and nephrin between podocytes functions as a barrier during glomerular filtration. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can improve proteinuria in rodents with various renal injuries, but little is known about the role of HGF in podocyte-based events during glomerulonephritis.

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