Salt restriction: effects on lipids and insulin production in hypertensive patients

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation 1997, Vol.57 (6), p.501-505
• Main Authors: Meland, E., Lærum, E., Aakvaag, A., Ulvik, R. J., Høstmark, A. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Blood Pressure; C-Peptide - blood; Cardiology. Vascular system; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Cross-Over Studies; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Double-Blind Method; Fasting; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; hypertension; Hypertension - diet therapy; Hypertension - metabolism; Insulin - blood; insulin resistance; lipids; Lipids - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Natriuresis; Placebos; sodium-restricted diet
• ISSN: 0036-5513; 1502-7686
• DOI: 10.3109/00365519709084600

The object of the study was to evaluate blood pressure, insulin and glucose metabolism, and serum lipids in hypertensive patients, during 8 weeks on a moderately salt-restricted diet. A double-blind, cross-over study was conducted with hypertensive patients following a moderately salt-restricted diet. Patients were randomised to sodium capsules in one period and placebo capsules during the other period. After a 1-month run-in period, 13 males and three females with mild to moderate essential hypertension (mean age 50 years) complied with a salt-reduced diet. They were randomized to a salt-supplemented group (5 capsules of 10 mmol sodium per capsule) or a salt reduced diet group (5 capsules of placebo) with cross-over after 8 weeks. Serum insulin, insulin C-peptide, and glucose were measured, fasting and 30 min after a 75-g glucose load. Serum lipids and lipoproteins constituting an atherogenic index were measured, along with blood pressure and 24-h urine excretion of sodium and chloride. Non-significant reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (4 mmHg, p=0.06, and 2 mmHg, p=0.13, respectively) were observed during the reduced-salt period. The changes observed for fasting insulin, insulin C-peptide, glucose, serum lipids and the atherogenic index were also nonsignificant. It is concluded that moderate salt restriction seems not to adversely influence insulin resistance or serum lipids in hypertensive patients.