Effects of salt intervention on serum levels of Klotho influenced by salt sensitivity

Klotho was involved in sodium reabsorption and the regulation of blood pressure. Animal studies indicated Klotho deficiency could mediate the development of salt-sensitive hypertension, indicating its correlation with salt sensitivity. We aimed to explore the responses of Klotho to salt intake through dietary intervention in Chinese adults. Forty-four participants were enrolled from Lantian county of Shaanxi, China. All participants sequentially underwent a 3-day normal diet, a 7-day low-Na⁺ diet, and a 7-day high-Na⁺ diet. The concentrations of serum Klotho were assessed by using ELISA kits. Serum level of Klotho was 360.44 ± 93.89 pg/mL at baseline and increased while changed to low-salt diet (478.65 ± 183.25 vs 360.44 ± 93.89 pg/mL, P <.001). During high-salt diet, serum Klotho decreased to 354.37 ± 98.16 pg/mL (P <.001, compared to low-salt diet). The overall responses of Klotho were more prominent in salt-resistant participants. Serum Klotho of salt-resistant group changed from 353.92 ± 97.65 pg/mL to 496.76 ± 196.21 pg/mL while changed from normal diet to low-salt diet (P <.001) and decreased to 350.37 ± 99.50 pg/mL during high-salt intake (P <.001). Furthermore, the response of serum Klotho to low-salt intervention was much greater in salt-resistant individuals than in salt-sensitive ones. The responses of serum Klotho to dietary salt intervention were influenced by salt sensitivity, which was more prominent in salt-resistant participants.