Excessive salt intake is well-known to be one of the major environmental factor not only to develop human hypertension but also to induce cardiovascular damages. On the other hand, dietary potassium supplementation exerts both anti-hypertensive and cardiovascular protective effects in salt-induced hypertension. In the earlier studies including us, it was suggested that the anti-hypertensive mechanism of dietary potassium is natriuresis and sympatho-inhibitory action. Recently, it has been clarified that salt loading increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in saltsensitive hypertension model animals. Because ROS overproduction induces several disadvantages, such as insulin resistance, the peripheral and central sympathetic overactivity, and an enhanced oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1) expression, antioxidants may prevent salt-induced hypertension and cardiovascular damages. Interestingly, some investigators have demonstrated that potassium has antioxidant effect. Indeed, dietary potassium supplementation ameliorates insulin resistance, sympathetic overactivity and LOX-1 upregulation associated with decrement of ROS production. Thus, opposite actions between salt and potassium on ROS production may play an important role of their influences on blood pressure and cardiovascular effects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.