ED 09-1 RENAL SODIUM HANDLING AND SALT SENSITIVITY.

This lecture will provide a background on the physiology of renal sodium handling and its importance in long term blood pressure regualtion. A brief overview of the classical Guytonion Pressure-Natriuresis Hypothesis of blood pressure control will be provided. The global impact of dietary salt intake on hypertension incidence and cardiovasular health will be discussed. Addtionally, recent insights into the mechanisitc regualtion of renal sodium handling during health and the pathophysiology of salt-sensitive hypertension - including a focus on the regulation of the sodium chloride cotransport will be provided. Finally proposed mechansims involved in the sensing of alterations in dietary sodium intake to ifluence long term blood pressue will be presented.