Salt-Sensitivity and Immunity Cell Activation

Description

Salt-sensitive hypertension affects nearly 50% of the hypertensive and 25% of the normotensive population, and strong evidence indicates that reducing salt intake decreases blood pressure and cardiovascular events. The precise mechanisms of how dietary salt contributes to blood pressure elevation, renal injury, and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Our data indicated that monocytes exhibit salt sensitivity, and the investigators hypothesize that of salt sensitivity of these and similar immune cells correlate with the hypertensive response to salt intake. Currently, the research tools for diagnosing salt-sensitivity are costly, time consuming and laborious. In this study the investigators will identify monocyte salt-sensitivity as a marker of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Conditions

High Blood Pressure, Salt; Excess, Inflammation

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Salt-sensitive hypertension affects nearly 50% of the hypertensive and 25% of the normotensive population, and strong evidence indicates that reducing salt intake decreases blood pressure and cardiovascular events. The precise mechanisms of how dietary salt contributes to blood pressure elevation, renal injury, and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Our data indicated that monocytes exhibit salt sensitivity, and the investigators hypothesize that of salt sensitivity of these and similar immune cells correlate with the hypertensive response to salt intake. Currently, the research tools for diagnosing salt-sensitivity are costly, time consuming and laborious. In this study the investigators will identify monocyte salt-sensitivity as a marker of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Salt-Sensitivity and Immunity Cell Activation

Salt-Sensitivity and Immunity Cell Activation

Condition
High Blood Pressure
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Nashville

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * We will perform a pilot analysis in 20 hypertensive subjects controlled for gender (50% men, 50% women), age (18-60 years),
  • * New or pre-existing diagnosis of essential hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure \>140 mmHg or \>90 mmHg diastolic or taking antihypertensive medications regardless of current blood pressure.
  • * BMI (18.5-24.9).
  • * Only subjects who give informed consent will be studied.
  • * Acute cardiovascular event(s) within the previous 6 months
  • * Claustrophobia precluding obtaining an MRI
  • * Inability to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study or to participate in/comply with the protocol.
  • * Current excessive alcohol or illicit drug use.
  • * Blood pressure below the inclusion criteria levels after discontinuation of therapy
  • * Presence of metal implants such as artificial joints.
  • * Concomitant diabetes mellitus, type I or II.
  • * Autoimmune disease.
  • * Recent vaccination
  • * Younger or older that inclusion criteria.
  • * Pregnancy.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Vanderbilt University Medical Center,

Annet Kirabo, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2025-09-15