Project at AIAS

Hypertension is a common lifestyle related health problem. It is estimated that 40% of western world adults have hypertension. The condition is a major risk factor for a number of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Even moderate elevations in blood pressure are associated with shortened life expectancy. It has long been known that high dietary K⁺ intake is able to reduce blood pressure and protect against hypertension. The mechanism underlying the positive effect of high K⁺ intake is poorly understood. Interestingly, it has been shown that high K⁺ intake acutely increases Na⁺ excretion. Since Na⁺ is the main cation in the extracellular fluid, the total amount of body Na⁺ is the defining parameter of plasma volume and thereby blood pressure. Thus, dietary K⁺-triggered reduction of total body Na⁺ likely plays a part of the beneficial effects on blood pressure. A central study, in my previous research identified, the molecular mechanism underlying the rapid increased urinary Na⁺ excretion following ingestion of a K⁺ rich meal. This new knowledge allows for investigations of a number of important questions including: 1) How is a K⁺ rich meal that enters the gastrointestinal tract sensed? How is the sensed signal transduced from the gastrointestinal tract to the kidneys allowing for molecular alteration in renal Na⁺ handling? 2) How is K⁺-induced Na⁺ excretion regulated as a function of dietary status prior to the ingestion of a K⁺ rich meal?  This project aims to elucidate these specific questions to get a better understanding of the mechanism of how a K⁺ rich diet protect again hypertension.