Abstract
Klotho was involved in sodium reabsorption and the regulation of blood pressure. Animal studies indicated Klotho deficiency could mediate the development of salt-sensitive hypertension, indicating its correlation with salt sensitivity. We aimed to explore the responses of Klotho to salt intake through dietary intervention in Chinese adults. Forty-four participants were enrolled from Lantian county of Shaanxi, China. All participants sequentially underwent a 3-day normal diet, a 7-day low-Na(+) diet, and a 7-day high-Na(+) diet. The concentrations of serum Klotho were assessed by using ELISA kits. Serum level of Klotho was 360.44 ± 93.89 pg/mL at baseline and increased while changed to low-salt diet (478.65 ± 183.25 vs 360.44 ± 93.89 pg/mL, P < .001). During high-salt diet, serum Klotho decreased to 354.37 ± 98.16 pg/mL (P < .001, compared to low-salt diet). The overall responses of Klotho were more prominent in salt-resistant participants. Serum Klotho of salt-resistant group changed from 353.92 ± 97.65 pg/mL to 496.76 ± 196.21 pg/mL while changed from normal diet to low-salt diet (P < .001) and decreased to 350.37 ± 99.50 pg/mL during high-salt intake (P < .001). Furthermore, the response of serum Klotho to low-salt intervention was much greater in salt-resistant individuals than in salt-sensitive ones. The responses of serum Klotho to dietary salt intervention were influenced by salt sensitivity, which was more prominent in salt-resistant participants.