Plasma sodium stiffens vascular endothelium and reduces nitric oxide release

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0707791104
• Publication Date: 2007-10-03T00:25:49Z
• Authors: Hans Oberleithner; Christoph Riethmü...; Hermann Schillers; Graham A. MacGregor; Hugh E. de Wardener; Martin Hausberg
• Keywords: Mineralocorticoid; Homeostasis; Amiloride; Sodium nitroprusside

Dietary salt plays a major role in the regulation of blood pressure, and mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone controls homeostasis extracellular volume. Recent observations suggest that small increase plasma sodium concentration may contribute to pressor response dietary salt. Because endothelial cells are (i) sensitive aldosterone, (ii) physical contact with sodium, (iii) crucial regulators vascular tone, we tested whether acute changes concentration, within physiological range, can alter properties cells. The tip an atomic force microscope was used as nanosensor measure stiffness living incubated for 3 days culture medium containing at (0.45 nM). Endothelial cell unaffected by <135 mM but rose steeply between 135 145 mM. occurred minutes. Lack or treatment epithelial channel inhibitor amiloride prevented this response. Nitric oxide formation found down-regulated cultured aldosterone-containing high medium. results per se affect function thus control tone.