April 1, 1986Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Short-term augmented calcium intake has no effect on sodium homeostasis
Key result
Calcium supplementation lowers supine systolic BP in hypertensive patients without altering sodium excretion or RAS.
- n=16
Why the study?
The influence of dietary calcium supplementation on sodium homeostasis, the renin-angiotensin system, and sympathetic nervous system related to blood pressure regulation was unclear.
Does short-term calcium supplementation influence sodium homeostasis and lower blood pressure in normal and hypertensive participants?
Population
16 participants (8 normal and 8 with hypertension)
Comparison
500 mg elemental calcium twice daily vs placebo
Design
Controlled dietary intervention study
Follow-up
8 days per phase
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May lower supine SBP in hypertension independently of sodium excretion or RAS; leaves open mechanism and clinical utility.
Structured PICO
Does short-term calcium supplementation influence sodium homeostasis and lower blood pressure in normal and hypertensive participants?
P
Population
16 participants (8 normal and 8 with hypertension) on a fixed sodium diet who received placebo for 8 days followed by calcium supplementation for 8 days.
I
Intervention
500 mg elemental calcium as carbonate salt twice a day for 8 days
C
Comparator
Placebo for 8 days (administered prior to the calcium phase)
O
Outcome
Sodium homeostasis (urinary sodium excretion), plasma renin, aldosterone, norepinephrine, and blood pressuresurrogate
Short-term calcium supplementation does not appear to lower blood pressure through augmented sodium excretion or neurohormonal pathways, despite reducing systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Cite This Study
Luft et al. (1986) studied Hypertension and normal subjects (n=16). Elemental calcium (carbonate salt) vs. Placebo was evaluated on Sodium homeostasis, renin-angiotensin system, and sympathetic nervous system parameters. Calcium supplementation (500 mg twice daily) did not influence sodium excretion or the renin-angiotensin system, but significantly decreased supine systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients.