Alteraciones en la actividad biológica del óxido nítrico asociadas con la hipertensión sensible al sodio y con la obesidad

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases produce high morbidity/mortality, so its prevention is essential. For this reason it was founded the Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Silent Cardiovascular Risk Factors, whose goal is to provide the early detection and treatment of silent risk factors, with special interest in salt-sensitive hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide metabolism. It has been shown that the handling of salt and glucose by the body can be modified by endothelial dysfunction and alterations in nitric oxide production. In this regard, our studies have shown that a) a high intake of sodium inhibits the production of nitric oxide, which is restored by the reduction of salt intake, and b) in obese subjects, reduction of central adiposity and correction of metabolic abnormalities corrects salt sensitivity, lowers blood pressure and restores the bioactivity of nitric oxide.