Key result
GRK4 polymorphisms linked to salt sensitivity, long-term blood pressure changes, and incident hypertension.
Why the study?
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) plays a critical role in salt-sensitive and essential hypertension pathogenesis, motivating this study to examine GRK4 genetic variants in relation to salt sensitivity, longitudinal BP changes, and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults.
Do GRK4 genetic variations influence salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure changes, and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults?
Cohort (n=514)
Do GRK4 genetic variations influence salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure changes, and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults?
Specific GRK4 genetic polymorphisms are associated with dietary salt sensitivity, long-term blood pressure progression, and incident hypertension in Chinese adults.
GRK4 variants may identify salt-sensitive hypertension risk; leaves open whether genotyping improves prevention or management.
Background G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) promotes blood pressure elevation through impaired sodium excretion and enhanced tubular reabsorption, playing a critical role in salt-sensitive and essential hypertension pathogenesis. Purpose This cohort study examined GRK4 genetic variants in relation to salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes, and hypertension incidence within the Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study. Methods 514 participants enrolled at baseline (2004), 333 completed sequential dietary interventions: 3-day habitual diet followed by 7-day low-sodium diet, 7-day high-sodium diet, and 7-day high-sodium plus potassium supplementation diet. Fourteen-year follow-up assessed longitudinal BP progression and incident hypertension. Results Key findings indicate rs3796468 significantly influenced systolic BP (SBP) responses to low-sodium, high-sodium, and high-sodium plus potassium supplementation regimens, while rs3733219 specifically correlated with low-sodium response. Longitudinal analyses revealed rs10021191, rs1419043, and rs3733219 associated with 8-year SBP changes, whereas rs2471351 and rs1801058 tracked 14-year SBP changes. Notably, rs1801058 predicted hypertension incidence. Conclusion These results establish GRK4 polymorphisms as genetic determinants of salt sensitivity and hypertension development.
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Hu et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Salt sensitivity and essential hypertension (n=514). GRK4 genetic variants and sequential dietary sodium/potassium regimens vs. Different GRK4 genotypes and baseline habitual diet was evaluated on Salt-sensitive blood pressure responses, longitudinal blood pressure changes, and incident hypertension. GRK4 polymorphisms (including rs3796468, rs3733219, and rs1801058) were significantly associated with dietary salt-sensitive SBP responses, 8- and 14-year SBP changes, and incident hypertension.
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