INVESTIGATION OF HYPERTENSION-RELATED SALT INTAKE ON THE BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive impairment. Evidence from human studies revealed that high salt (NaCl) intake is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition to the effects on blood pressure, the detrimental effects of high NaCl intake on endothelial function and integrity are directly mediated by salt-induced activation of immune cells, vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Unfortunately, there is only little evidence to date that salt also alters the blood-brain barrier a critical component of the neurovascular unit. Thus, this study aims to investigate how high NaCl intake alters brain endothelial function and affects the neurovascular unit. Therefore, to measure the integrity of the endothelial barrier, a transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay was performed using MBMECs (mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells). In vitro transwell migration assay was performed to observe endothelial immune cell crosstalk under salt conditions. Our preliminary findings indicated that TEER measurements showed difference at 40 mM NaCl in the inflammatory group, and a trend toward variation was observed. In the transwell migration assay, cell numbers differed among groups. In conclusion, based on these data, we consider that high salt intake may have a short-term effect on the blood-brain barrier starting from the onset of NaCl administration. Furthermore, using the in vitro functional assays, an in vivo hypertension mouse model will be developed in the future to understand the relationship between excessive salt intake and hypertension in patients.