Reducing Salt Intake and Exercising Regularly: Implications From Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Endothelial Glycocalyx

It is widely accepted that salt intake reduction and regular exercise is a healthy lifestyle, which can prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Meanwhile, there is evidence that the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) is related to CVD. However, how such a healthy lifestyle helps to prevent CVD via th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in physiology 2018-11, Vol.9, p.1667-1667
Main Authors: Jiang, Xi Zhuo, Luo, Kai H, Ventikos, Yiannis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
endothelial glycocalyx layer
ion transport
lifestyle
molecular dynamics
Physiology
sodium intake
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Summary:It is widely accepted that salt intake reduction and regular exercise is a healthy lifestyle, which can prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Meanwhile, there is evidence that the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) is related to CVD. However, how such a healthy lifestyle helps to prevent CVD via the function of the EGL has not been scientifically established. In this research, a series of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to study ion transport inside the EGL under varying flow velocities. Results show that a fast blood flow velocity favors the Na transport out of the EGL, which can explain the increase in the thickness of an exclusion layer between red blood cells and the EGL under fast blood flow situations, as witnessed in some previous experiments. Based on findings from this fundamental research, a theory is proposed, which can answer the open-ended question "Why do we need to reduce salt intake and exercise regularly". The findings may also have implications for other therapies to combat cardiovascular diseases.
ISSN:1664-042X
1664-042X
DOI:10.3389/fphys.2018.01667