Evidence for a relationship between high sodium intake and high blood pressure comes from animal experimental studies, controlled clinical trials, and epidemiologic studies. Aanalyses from the International Co-Operative Study of Salt and Blood Pressure found estimates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure lower by 3 to 6 mmHg and 0 to 3 mmHg, respectively, for each lower daily sodium intake; the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Sodium feeding trial showed that lower versus higher sodium reduced systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by 6.7 and 3.5 mmHg, respectively. Lowered sodium intake may help lower blood pressure and reduce or obviate the need for antihypertensive drugs. Most of studies suggest that potassium intake has inverse relationship on systolic and diastolic blood pressure; dietary potassium deficiency induces a salt sensitivity in the high incidence and prevalence of hypertension in African-Americans. Increased potassium intake reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure; this effect is more enhanced in hypertensives compared to normotensives, and in those consuming a high intake of sodium. Increased potassium intake in combination with sodium restriction may provide the optimal means for prevention and treatment of hypertension. Increased potassium intake may reduce the risk of stroke independent of its effects on blood pressure
Animal Experimentation ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Diet ; Hypertension* ; Incidence ; Potassium* ; Potassium, Dietary ; Prevalence ; Sodium ; Stroke

In order to investigate electrolyte changes in serum and urine diuretic therapy, we studied 98 patients with hypertension not optimally controlled by previous treatment. After we divied the patients into three gorups in randomized trial, group A were given Amiloride 10mg/day, group B were given Dihydrochlorothiazide 50mg/day, group C were given Amiloride 5mg/day combined with Dihydrochlorothiazide 25mg/day for 7 days. Blood pressure and electrolyte changes in serum and urine after diuretic theraphy for 7 days were as follows. 1) Serum sodium concentrations were not significantly changed in all three groups(P>0.05). 2) Serum potassium concentrations were increased in group A and C (P<0.05), but there were no significant changes in group B(P<0.05). 3) Urinary sodium exceretions were increased in all three groups(P<0.05). 4) Urinary potassium excretion were decreased in group A and C (P<0.05), but there were increased in group B (P<0.05). 5) Blood pressure were decreased in all three groups(P<0.05).
Amiloride ; Blood Pressure ; Diuretics* ; Electrolytes* ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Hypertension* ; Potassium ; Sodium

Hypertension and atherosclerosis are the most important factors contributing to the development of aortic dissection. Primary aldosteronism is a rare cause of hypertension. The concurrence of aortic dissection is very rare in primary aldosteronism. However, when aortic dissection is found as a life-threatening complication of primary aldosteronism, then the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is important because the therapeutic intervention can be curative. Only 3 cases of primary aldosteronism with aortic dissection have been reported in the literature. We report here on a case of primary aldosteronism with aortic dissection, which was treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We lowered the blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs and potassium replacement was done to treat the aortic dissection. After stabilization of aortic dissection, we removed his left adrenal mass by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, the patient's blood pressure has been within normal limits and the serum potassium increased to a normal level without supplementation. The aortic dissection has remained in a stable state
Adrenalectomy ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Diagnosis ; Hyperaldosteronism* ; Hypertension ; Potassium

Hypertension and atherosclerosis are the most important factors contributing to the development of aortic dissection. Primary aldosteronism is a rare cause of hypertension. The concurrence of aortic dissection is very rare in primary aldosteronism. However, when aortic dissection is found as a life-threatening complication of primary aldosteronism, then the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is important because the therapeutic intervention can be curative. Only 3 cases of primary aldosteronism with aortic dissection have been reported in the literature. We report here on a case of primary aldosteronism with aortic dissection, which was treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We lowered the blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs and potassium replacement was done to treat the aortic dissection. After stabilization of aortic dissection, we removed his left adrenal mass by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, the patient's blood pressure has been within normal limits and the serum potassium increased to a normal level without supplementation. The aortic dissection has remained in a stable state
Adrenalectomy ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Diagnosis ; Hyperaldosteronism* ; Hypertension ; Potassium

BACKGROUND: High sodium and/or low mineral intake are known to be associated with elevated blood pressure. It has been reported that substituting low-sodium, mineral-rich salt for refined salt lowers blood pressure (BP). And solar salt is emerging as a low sodium high mineral salt for a healthy diet in Korea. Therefore, this double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was conducted to explore changes in BP from substituting refined salt with solar salt among hypertensive elderly subjects. METHODS: Forty-three hypertensive and institutionalized elderly individuals aged 65 years or older were enrolled. Thirty-eight subjects (88.4%) completed the study. Subjects were provided with either a solar salt- or refined salt-based diet for eight weeks. RESULTS: Systolic BP decreased significantly in the solar salt-based diet group after 2, 4, and 8 weeks when compared to the refined salt-based diet group. And, diastolic BP was lowered significantly in the solar salt-based diet group compared to that in the refined salt-based diet group after 8 weeks. In addition, urinary sodium/potassium, and angiotension converting enzyme activity decreased significantly in the solar salt-based diet group compared to the refined salt-based group. Urinary potassium excretion was significantly increased in the solar salt-based diet group. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide clinical evidence that solar salt has beneficial effects on BP in elderly patients. And, people such as Koreans, who do not consume enough minerals, may experience a greater anti-hypotensive effect by using solar salt. However, further large-scale studies are necessary.
Aged* ; Blood Pressure ; Diet* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Minerals ; Potassium ; Sodium

The salt-sensitivity has been generally accepted as a mechnism of high blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients, and so it may result in a difference of renal handling of sodium and potassium between normal healthy control and elderly hypertensive patient. So to evaluate an lbove difference, the amount of 24 hours' urinary excretion of Na+ & K+ were measured in healthy normotensive control (10 case) and elderly hypertensive group(10 case) according to normal diet (12-15gm of NaCl) for first 3 days and low salt diet (3~5)gm of NaCi) for next 3 days, also blood rewwure was mintored. The results were followed : 1) 24 hours' urinary excretion of NA+ was increased in hypertensive group more than control group at first day of normal diet and low salt diet significantly. 2) After a replacement of normal diet to low salt diet, a maximal decrement of 24 hours' urinary excretion of Na+ was 25% at first day in control but 40% at second day in hypertensive group only. 3) There was a similar pattern of urinary excretion of K+ as Na+ in hypertensive group, but it was not stastically significant. 4) There was no significant changes of blood pressure, serum electrolyte and BUN/creatinine according to salt intake in both group. From above findings. We can conclude that a urinary excretion of sodium is delayed in elderly hypertensive group, and it is suggested that a delayed excretion of sodium. is associated with retention of sodium in body. So a persistent restriction of sodium is recommended in elderly hypertensive patient.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Potassium* ; Sodium*

The purpose of this study was to assess sodium and potassium intakes and urinary excretion of adults in Busan and to evaluate the relationship of urinary sodium/potassium excretion (UNa/UK) to the status of anthropometric, blood pressure, urine analysis, and nutrient intake of subjects. Nutrient intake by 24-h recall, 24-h UNa/UK were measured with 87 adults aged 20-59 yrs (42 men and 45 women). The mean intakes of sodium and potassium were 3915.4 mg and 3093.9 mg, respectively. The mean 24-h UNa/UK was 3457.0/1680.4 mg. UNa showed significant positive correlations with sodium intake (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), sodium/potassium ratio (p < 0.001, p < 0.01), UK (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and UNa/UK ratio (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) in men and women and with age, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure in women (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05). The UK showed significant positive correlations sodium intake (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), UNa (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) in men and women and with sodium density in men (p < 0.001) and with age, intakes of protein and potassium in women (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Mean SBP was lowest in the second quartile and highest in the fourth quartile of UNa. Mean UNa in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 2821.1 mg, 3621.3 mg, and 5456.4 mg, respectively. Mean SBP in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 115.8 mmHg, 120.7 mmHg, and 125.9 mmHg, respectively. Based on the results, UNa was related to sodium intake, UK, and SBP. We conclude that nutritional education for the reduction of high sodium intake is needed in the general population to prevent and control adverse blood pressure levels.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Potassium ; Sodium

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of platycodin D and D3, which are active components derived from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC., on the contractile force of the i3olated rat aorta and blood pressure of the anesthetized rat, and also to elucidate its mechanism of action. Both phenylephrine (an adrenergic alpha1-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane- depolarizing agent) caused great contractile responses in the isolated aortic strips. Platycodin D at high concentration (24microgram/ml) inhibited contractile responses induced by phenylephrine (10 (-5) M) and high potassium (5.6x10 (-2) M), while low concentrations of platycodin D (4~8microgram/ml) did not affect those responses. However, platycodin D3 (8~32microgram/ml) did not alter the contractile responses evoked by phenylephrine and high K+. Interestingly, the infusion of platycodin D3 (1.0 mg/kg/30 min) significantly reduced the pressor responses induced by intravenous norepinephrine. However, platycodin D3 (1.0 mg/kg/30 min) did not affect them. Taken together, these results show that intravenously administered platycodin D depresses norepinephrine-induced pressor responses in the anesthetized rat, at least partly through the blockade of adrenergic alpha1-receptors. Platycodin D also caused vascular relaxation in the isolated aortic strips of the rat via the blockade of adrenergic alpha1-receptors, in addition to an unknown direct mechanism. However, platycodin D3 did not affect both norepinephrine-induced pressor responses and the isolated rat aortic contractile responses evoked by phenylephrine and high potassium. Based on these results, there seems to be much difference in the mode of action between platycodin D and platycodin D3.
Animals ; Aorta ; Blood Pressure ; Norepinephrine ; Phenylephrine ; Platycodon ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Relaxation

The objective of this study was to explore the possible effects of leukocyte elimination by filteration before storage on the quality of red blood cell concentrations (RCC) that prepared through two procedures. Eight units of red blood cell concentrations derived from whole blood after plasma separated (RCC1) and eight units of red blood cell concentrations derived from whole blood after platelet-rich plasma separated (RCC2) were divided randomly into filtered group and control group respectively. The RCC of filtered group were filtered by leukocyte deplete filter before storage. The control group didn't have any other treatments. These two groups were stored for five weeks at 4 degrees C according to AABB standard. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and plasma concentration of K(+) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), free hemoglobin (FHb), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) of red blood cell of all RCC were evaluated weekly, and bacteria contamination of all RCC was also detected after five weeks of storage. The results showed that there was no difference of MCV, MCH and MCHC and ATP level of red blood cell in all RCC of two groups, the ATP of red blood cell was lower than the control group on week 4 and 5. The average concentration of K(+) of the filtered group was less than the control group. The differences are significant except that of RCC1 stored till the third week. The plasma LDH concentration of filtered group was less than the control group, and the differences were exacerbate during the storing time prolonged. FHb release in the filtered group of RCC2 was significant less than that of control, but no significant difference was found between the two groups of RCC1. It was concluded that leukocyte elimination by filter before storage could be benefit to RCC preservation.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Blood Component Removal ; Blood Preservation ; Erythrocytes ; physiology ; Filtration ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Leukocytes ; Potassium ; blood

Transfusion-induced hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest, especially when the patient rapidly receives a large amount of red blood cells (RBCs), previously stored for a long period of time, irradiated or both. We report on a case of application of the Continuous AutoTransfusion System (CATS) to wash RBCs, in order to lower the high potassium (K+) level in the packed RBCs unit, during massive transfusion following transfusion-induced hyperkalemic cardiac arrest. After the washing process using CATS, there was no more electrocardiographic abnormality or cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia. This case emphasizes the potential risk to develop transfusion-related hyperkalemic cardiac arrest, during massive transfusion of irradiated, pre-stored RBCs. CATS can be effectively used to lower the K+ concentration in the packed RBCs unit, especially when the risk of transfusion-induced hyperkalemia is high.
Animals ; Blood Transfusion ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Cats ; Electrocardiography ; Erythrocytes ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Potassium