The expression of RAC1 and mineralocorticoid pathway-dependent genes are associated with different responses to salt intake

Abstract

© American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved.Background Rac1 upregulation has been implicated in salt-sensitive hypertension as a modulator of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activity. Rac1 could affect the expression of oxidative stress markers, such as hemoxigenase-1 (HO- 1) or nuclear factor-B (NF-κB), and the expression of neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin (NGAL), a cytokine upregulated upon MR activation. aim We evaluated RAC1 expression in relation of high salt intake and association with MR, NGAL, HO-1, and NF-κB expression, mineralo- and glucocorticoids levels, and inflammatory parameters. subjects and methods We studied 147 adult subjects. A food survey identified the dietary sodium (Na) intake. RAC1 expression was considered high or low according to the value found in normotensive subjects with low salt intake. We determined the gene expression of RAC1, MR, NGAL, HO-1, NF-κB, and 18S, isolated from peripheral leukocytes. We measured aldosterone, c