Whether mice get extra potassium for a few days or weeks, a key kidney transporter becomes less active.
Scientific Claim
Short-term and chronic potassium chloride supplementation in mice are associated with reduced sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) phosphorylation.
Original Statement
“NCC and pNCC levels were reduced in mice fed a NS diet supplemented with chronic +KCl (NS/+KCl, ~35 % reduction) or chronic +KCit (NS/+KCit, ~25 % reduction) for 3 weeks (Figure 5, A and B). pNCC levels were also significantly reduced with +KCl (~50 % reduction), with a similar trend observed with +KCit (~30 % reduction) (Figure 5, A, C, and D).”
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' and specifies the reduction in NCC phosphorylation without implying causation.