Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, acts as a decoy receptor of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) and the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL); RANKL and TRAIL are 2 cytokines of the TNF family mainly involved in bone metabolism; they are also found in other tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle cells. 13 OPG has been implicated in various inflammatory reactions and endothelial dysfunctions, which are also associated with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. 14-16 Increased plasma OPG concentrations are also related to coronary artery disease frequently accompanied by atherosclerosis, stroke, diabetes mellitus, vascular death, and overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. [17][18][19][20] Data are still scarce in the literature with regard to the link between salt intake and OPG. Our study was designed to examine the effects of salt intake and potassium supple-E xcess dietary salt induces adverse cardiovascular and renal effects, as demonstrated in numerous epidemiological, interventional, and experimental studies. 1-3 Hypertension prevention studies have provided supporting evidence that modest reductions in salt intake promote 25% long-term reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events; thus, salt intake is implicated in cardiovascular function. 4 Several mechanisms, including endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and neurogenically mediated increase in peripheral resistance, contribute to the harmful effects of dietary salt. 5-9 Potassium likely elicits favorable effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 10-12 Dietary potassium supplementation may prevent the salt loading-induced elevation of blood pressure (BP) by inhibiting the sympathetic nerve excitability, salt-induced insulin resistance, and oxygen-reactive free radical generation. Background: Excess dietary salt is strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Conversely, potassium likely elicits favorable effects on cardiovascular disorders. In epidemiological studies, increased plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentrations are associated with atherosclerosis and vascular deaths. Our study was designed to examine the effects of salt intake and potassium supplementation on plasma OPG levels in normotensive subjects.