Urinary excretion of vasoactive factors are correlated to sodium excretion

The relationship between urinary vasoactive factors and sodium excretion has not been adequately addressed in humans. Excretion rates of sodium, nitrates/nitrites (NOx), cGMP, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured before and after ingestion of a mixed electrolyte solution (8 oz Gatorade) while undergoing a routine cardiovascular evaluation in a sample of 51 normotensive young adults. Significant correlations were detected for changes in excretion between all four variables, r ranged from 0.50 to 0.86 ( P < .001). Correlations were higher in African Americans than white Americans. The association of renal ET-1 and NO activity with sodium excretion supports the hypothesis that these factors play a role in the physiologic response to acute changes in sodium intake, particularly in African Americans.