# Apiaceous vegetables mitigate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE-null mice

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2020 · $217,958

## Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains a major Public Health problem in the U.S. and is the result of sub-clinical
diseases such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure (BP). Several dietary factors have been implicated
as risk factors. Indeed, it is well known that excess sodium consumption can increase BP while consumption
of potassium has been shown to have BP lowering properties. While the role of these two nutrients on BP is
widely accepted, their impact on the vasculature has received less attention. Vascular endothelial dysfunction,
characterized by impaired dilation is an important non-traditional risk factor for atherosclerosis. Data in animal
models suggest that salt loading, independent of changes in BP, results in vascular endothelial dysfunction
while evidence is mounting that potassium may be beneficial to vascular health. Potential mechanisms
responsible for sodium induced vascular dysfunction include overproduction of reactive oxygen species and
stiffening of endothelial cells resulting in reduced nitric oxide (NO) production/bioavailability. Potassium has
been suggested to have antioxidant capabilities that may counteract the effects of high sodium and has been
shown to soften cultured endothelial cells stiffened from high sodium. Our central hypothesis is that sodium
directly affects the vasculature and simultaneous consumption of potassium can ameliorate the detrimental
effects of sodium by reducing oxidative stress and cell stiffness, thereby preserving NO. In this COBRE
subproject, we propose to use a 21-day controlled feeding study to compare the effects of a high sodium diet
(300 mmol) combined with either a high (120 mmol) or moderate (65 mmol) amount of potassium on 2 levels of
the vasculature, conduit and microvasculature. These experiments will be performed in salt-resistant adults to
study the vascular effects alone, independent of changes in BP. 24-hour ambulatory BP and urine collections
during each diet condition will permit the individual assessment of salt sensitivity of BP. Brachial artery flowmediated
dilation will be used to assess conduit endothelial-dependent dilation and cutaneous vasodilation in
response to local heating using laser Doppler flowmetry coupled with intradermal microdialysis will be used to
assess microvascular function in the forearm. Arterial stiffness will be assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave
velocity and wave reflection by aortic augmentation index. A venous scraping of endothelial cells will be
collected for assessment of oxidative stress and cell stiffness. We expect to demonstrate that high potassium
protects the endothelium from the deleterious effects of high sodium by reducing oxidative stress and cell
stiffness. These studies are novel in that they will be the first to critically evaluate the role of potassium on
vascular function independent of BP and employ a comprehensive assessment of vascular function (conduit
artery endothelial function, microvascular function, arterial stiffn...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10148377
- **Project number:** 5P20GM113125-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jae Kyeom Kim
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $217,958
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10148377

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10148377, Apiaceous vegetables mitigate acrolein-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE-null mice (5P20GM113125-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10148377. Licensed CC0.

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