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Low-sodium DASH reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular function in salt-sensitive humans

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 23, pages 826–835 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Salt induces oxidative stress in salt-sensitive (SS) animals and man. It is not known whether in SS subjects the low-sodium dietary approaches to stop hypertension (LS-DASH) reduces oxidative stress more than DASH, which is high in antioxidants. To assess the effects of DASH and LS-DASH on oxidative stress, 19 volunteers were studied after 3 weeks of a standardized usual low fruits and vegetables diet (ULFV), followed by 3 weeks on DASH (both diets ∼120 mmol Na+ per day), then 3 weeks on LS-DASH (60 mmol Na+ per day). SS was defined as systolic blood pressure ⩾5 mm Hg lower on LS-DASH than DASH. In SS subjects (N=9), systolic blood pressure was lower on LS-DASH (111.0±2.0 mm Hg) than DASH (118.0±2.2, P<0.01) and ULFV (122.3±2.7, P=0.002). In salt-resistant (SR) volunteers (N=10), systolic blood pressure was lower on DASH (113.0±1.6) than ULFV (119.0±1.8, P<0.05) but not LS-DASH (115.7±1.8). Urine F2-isoprostanes, a marker of oxidative stress, were lower in SS subjects on LS-DASH (1.69±0.24) than ULFV (3.09±0.50, P<0.05) and marginally lower than DASH (2.46±0.44, P<0.20). F2-isoprostanes were not different among the three diets in SR volunteers (2.18±0.29, 2.06±0.29, 2.27±0.53, respectively). Aortic augmentation index, a measure of vascular stiffness, was lower in SS subjects on LS-DASH than either DASH or ULFV, and lower on DASH than ULFV in SR volunteers. In SS but not SR subjects, LS-DASH is associated with lower values for F2-isoprostanes and the aortic augmentation index. The results suggest that LS-DASH decreases oxidative stress, improves vascular function and lowers blood pressure in SS but not SR volunteers.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Kelley Martin, RD, MS, General Clinical Research Nutritionist, for her extraordinary efforts in assisting volunteers to comply with the study diets. We also thank the entire General Clinical Research Center staff for their dedication to the integrity of the research protocol as well as Kim Edwards for administrative support. This research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (HL58794, HL04290 (BME); GM15431, DK48831 (JDM)), MD00267 from the National Center for Minority Health and Disparities and the General Clinical Research Center (RR-01070) from the Division of Research Resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Y Al-Solaiman, A Jesri, Y Zhao & B M Egan

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Y Al-Solaiman, A Jesri, Y Zhao & B M Egan

  3. Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    J D Morrow

  4. Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    J D Morrow

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  1. Y Al-Solaiman
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Correspondence to B M Egan.

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Al-Solaiman, Y., Jesri, A., Zhao, Y. et al. Low-sodium DASH reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular function in salt-sensitive humans. J Hum Hypertens 23, 826–835 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2009.32

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