utr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014 Sep;24(9):983-9. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2014.04.009. Epub 2014 May 2.

Effect of high potassium diet on endothelial function.

Blanch N1, Clifton PM1, Petersen KS1, Willoughby SR2, Keogh JB3.

• 1School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Australia.
• 2Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
• 3School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Jennifer.Keogh@unisa.edu.au.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Increased potassium intake is related to reduced blood pressure (BP) and reduced stroke rate. The effect of increased dietary potassium on endothelial function remains unknown. The aim was to determine the effect of increased dietary potassium from fruit and vegetables on endothelial function.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Thirty five healthy men and women (age 32 ± 12 y) successfully completed a randomised cross-over study of 2 × 6 day diets either high or low in potassium. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD), BP, pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI) and a fasting blood sample for analysis of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and endothelin-1 were taken on completion of each intervention. Dietary change was achieved by including bananas and potatoes in the high potassium and apples and rice/pasta in the low potassium diet. Dietary adherence was assessed using 6 day weighed food diaries and a 24 h urine sample. The difference in potassium excretion between the two diets was 48 ± 32 mmol/d (P = 0.000). Fasting FMD was significantly improved by 0.6% ± 1.5% following the high compared to the low potassium diet (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in BP, PWV, AI, ICAM-1, ADMA or endothelin-1 between the interventions. There was a significant reduction in E-selectin following the high (Median = 5.96 ng/ml) vs the low potassium diet (Median = 6.24 ng/ml), z = -2.49, P = 0.013.

CONCLUSION:

Increased dietary potassium from fruit and vegetables improves FMD within 1 week in healthy men and women but the mechanisms for this effect remain unclear.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY:

ACTRN12612000822886.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Diet; Endothelial function; Potassium

PMID:

24875671