Long-term high potassium makes a kidney channel more active, and blocking that channel with a drug lowers blood pressure in mice.

Scientific Claim

Chronic high dietary potassium supplementation in mice is associated with increased cleaved (active) epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunits, and amiloride administration is associated with reduced blood pressure.

Original Statement

“The elevated BP after chronic K+ feeding was reduced by amiloride but not thiazide. Both feeding periods resulted in lower NCC levels but in increased levels of cleaved (active) α and γ subunits of the epithelial Na+ channel ENaC.”

From study:Dissociation of sodium-chloride cotransporter expression and blood pressure during chronic high dietary potassium supplementation

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study design supports correlational claims. The phrasing uses 'associated with' for both ENaC activity and amiloride effects, correctly avoiding causal language.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Dissociation of sodium-chloride cotransporter expression and blood pressure during chronic high dietary potassium supplementation

Cohort Study

Animal

2023 Mar 8

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Dissociation of sodium-chloride cotransporter expression and blood pressure during chronic high dietary potassium supplementation

Score: 13

DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.156437

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