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The Effects of Salt and Aldosterone on Vascular and Renal Function

Mutchler, Stephanie (2019) The Effects of Salt and Aldosterone on Vascular and Renal Function. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Hypertension is a global epidemic that increases risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular disease and chronic kidney disease, making early detection and treatment imperative. Genetic factors and lifestyle choices such as diet can influence an individual’s risk of developing hypertension. The purpose of this study was to identify consequences of two risk factors, high salt diet (HSD) and increased aldosterone levels, on vascular and renal function with an emphasis on the role of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC).
Previous cell culture studies demonstrate that an increase in extracellular [Na+] coupled with increased aldosterone increases ENaC expression in endothelial cells, leading to decreased nitric oxide production. Therefore, we hypothesized that ENaC contributes to vascular dysfunction with HSD and aldosterone in intact vasculature. Inhibition of ENaC with amiloride in isolated vessels from combination treated animals increased acetylcholine sensitivity, however, the most robust changes we observed in vascular reactivity occurred with HSD alone. We discovered a dynamic response of the vasculature to various HSD treatment lengths, in part mediated by ENaC.
We examined the effects of treatment alone or in combination on renal transporter expression given their importance to ion regulation and BP. Interestingly, HSD and aldosterone led to an increase in transcript and protein expression of all ENaC subunits in the kidney. Furthermore, the combined treatments led to an increase in renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and signs of fibrosis. Our full factorial treatments allowed us to assess the contribution of diet and aldosterone alone as well as in combination.
Finally, we found that chronic HSD surprisingly kept mice from gaining weight with age, despite the fact food intake was comparable to that in control animals. These animals may have shifts in metabolic processes that explain their weight differences, and these changes occur differentially in various organs.
Overall, our results have added to our understanding of how HSD and aldosterone alone and in combination increase risk for hypertension by affecting vascular and renal function. We have shown that ENaC plays a role in mediating the negative effects of this pathological state, and that it may be an attractive pharmacological target beyond the kidney.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Mutchler, Stephanie
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairPagano, Patrickpagano@pitt.edu
Committee MemberHughey, Rebeccahugheyr@pitt.edu
Committee MemberButterworth, Michaelmichael7@pitt.edu
Committee MemberDeFranco, Donalddod1@pitt.edu
Thesis AdvisorKleyman, Thomaskleyman@pitt.edu
Date: 18 September 2019
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 3 April 2019
Approval Date: 18 September 2019
Submission Date: 1 July 2019
Access Restriction: 5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years.
Number of Pages: 176
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Molecular Pharmacology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: renal physiology, vascular function, aldosterone, ENaC
Date Deposited: 18 Sep 2019 14:29
Last Modified: 18 Sep 2019 14:29
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/37020

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