# Salt taste sensitivity, genetics and salt sensitivity of blood pressure in HIV

> **NIH NIH R21** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $169,543

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Hypertension is a risk factor for stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and death. Hypertension prevalence is high
in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in persons living with HIV. Apart from traditional risk factors such as high body
mass index, age, immune activation and lifestyle, dietary salt is one of the driving factors contributing to the
development of hypertension directly by promoting pathological changes in the vasculature and indirectly through
immune activation and inflammation. Salt intake is driven mainly by salt taste sensitivity and specific genetic
variations in the taste receptor genes. High salt consumption is an independent predictor of hypertension, arterial
stiffness and cardiovascular disease. Salt consumption is generally high in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
including Zambia. The effects of salt on blood pressure (BP) are more pronounced in individuals with salt
sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP). SSBP is when changes in BP mirror changes in dietary salt
intake/depletion. It is not clear if salt taste sensitivity correlates with SSBP. Furthermore, genetic variations in
the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the tongue associated with salt taste sensitivity are unknown. Therefore,
the aims of this project are to: 1. To determine if salt taste sensitivity is associated with salt intake, SSBP and
inflammation in persons with HIV. We hypothesize that salt taste sensitivity correlates with SSBP and
inflammation. To achieve this, an existing cohort with known SSBP will be utilized and inflammatory biomarkers
measured using ELISA and flow cytometry, 24-hr food recall and 24-hour urine will be measured to assess
dietary salt intake. Salt taste sensitivity will be analysed using serial diluted salt solutions, and compared with
salt intake, SSBP and inflammation between people with and without HIV. Aim 2. To determine if genetic
variations in ENaC are associated with salt taste perception, SSBP and hypertension in HIV. We hypothesize
that specific genetic variations in the taste receptor genes particularly for ENaC are associated with salt taste,
SSBP and hypertension. To achieve this, genetic sequencing of taste receptor genes will be performed to
determine linkage with salt taste sensitivity and SSBP in persons with and without HIV. These studies will
generate hypotheses for future interventional studies. In addition, the long-term goal is to generate a biobank of
saliva and blood samples of persons from Africa for future genomic, proteomic and metabolomic analysis in an
R01 grant application.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10880634
- **Project number:** 5R21TW012635-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Annet Kirabo Kirabo
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $169,543
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-10 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10880634

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10880634, Salt taste sensitivity, genetics and salt sensitivity of blood pressure in HIV (5R21TW012635-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10880634. Licensed CC0.

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