Mechanisms Underlying the Protective Vascular Effects of Dietary Potassium in Humans

University of Delaware

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Treatments: Other: High Potassium/High Sodium Diet; Other: Moderate Potassium/High Sodium Diet; Other: Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium Diet

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04101188

1472577

Details and patient eligibility

About

Americans continue to consume high amounts of sodium. Potassium is notable for its blood pressure lowering effects but less is known regarding its effect on the vasculature. This investigation seeks to determine the role of dietary potassium on the vasculature in the presence of a high sodium diet in salt-resistant adults.

Full description

Significant public health efforts have been made towards salt reduction but most have met with failure. Dietary factors such high sodium/low potassium diets contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure (BP). This is important as CVD is the number one killer in the U.S. While the role of these two nutrients on BP is widely accepted, their impact on the vasculature has received less attention. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired dilation, is an important non-traditional risk factor for atherosclerosis. Evidence supporting potassium's beneficial role on vascular health remains unclear although it may be more effective in the presence of a high sodium diet. A purported mechanism responsible for sodium-induced vascular dysfunction is overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in reduced nitric oxide (NO) production/bioavailability. Additionally, high sodium diets have been shown to stiffen the endothelium. This investigation will evaluate the vascular effects of dietary potassium during a high salt diet including its impact on sodium-induced oxidative stress and endothelial cell stiffness.

Enrollment: 90 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• healthy
• normal blood pressure
• normal resting ECG

Exclusion criteria

• hypertension
• history of heart disease
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• obese (BMI ≥30)
• significant weight changes in the last 6 months
• use of tobacco products
• pregnant
• on a special diet (gluten free; vegan)
• take any medications for the above conditions
• endurance trained athletes

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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90 participants in 3 patient groups

Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is moderate in potassium and low in sodium.

Treatment:

Other: Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium Diet

Moderate Potassium/High Sodium

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is moderate in potassium and high in sodium.

Treatment:

Other: Moderate Potassium/High Sodium Diet

High Potassium/High Sodium

Experimental group

Description:

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is high in both potassium and sodium.

Treatment:

Other: High Potassium/High Sodium Diet