Evaluation of Salt Sensitivity in Young Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The current prospective cross-sectional pilot study is proposed to determine a set of characteristic factors associated with salt sensitivity in young adults by measuring blood pressure, serum aldosterone levels, urine analysis, arterial pulse wave velocity and central arterial pressure in response to short term increases in salt intake.

Detailed Description
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Since salt sensitivity at an early age is associated with subsequent hypertension and an increase in mortality, intervention by lifestyle modification including the reduction of sodium intake could prevent subsequent increases in blood pressure and development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and death. It would therefore be beneficial to have a simple method of identifying salt sensitive young adults so that risk factor modification can be achieved to prevent progression of the effects of hypertension on heart function. This study is a longitudinal pilot study to identify characteristics of salt sensitive young adults so that this population of people can be identified early on and appropriate lifestyle modifications can be made to prevent the subsequent progression of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The study will be conducted at 2 visits separated by one week. At the first visit, eligible subjects will be asked to complete questionnaires regarding childhood and current sodium intake.Subjects will be asked about family history of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Subjects will also undergo blood pressure measurement in both arm, and will provide a blood sample and spot urine sample. Subjects will then be asked to take salt pills 3 times a day for one week, and then return to the study center for a repeat of the above measurements.

Official Title
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Evaluation of Salt Sensitivity in Young Adults

Conditions
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Healthy Volunteers

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Salt tablet


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Young adults age 21-30 Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Any cardiovascular or other chronic health problem Chronic medications besides oral contraceptive pills in women BMI>30kg/m2 Blood pressure >140/90 mmHg Inability or unwillingness to adhere to study procedures

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Healthy volunteers<br>Open label administration of salt tablets for one week | Dietary Supplement: Salt tablet<br>* Subjects will be given salt tablets and instructed to take 4 grams of sale three times a day (total of 12 grams of salt/day) for one week<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Presence of salt sensitivity | Defined as an increase in mean arterial blood pressure greater than 5 mmHg | Visit 1 (One Week) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in aldosterone level | change in serum aldosterone level | Baseline to Visit 2 (One Week) | 
| Change in augmentation index (%) | Change in augmentation index determined by radial artery tonometry | Baseline to Visit 2 (One Week) |