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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
07:21
Separation and Differential Characterization of Gut Microbial Extracellular Vesicles in Salt-Sensitive Rats under High-Salt Diet Conditions
Published on: June 6, 2025
648
Effects of Dietary Sodium Modulation on Circulating Extracellular Vesicles.
Jacopo Burrello1, Fabrizio Buffolo1, Brooke Honzel2
1Division of Internal Medicine and Hypertension Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy. (J.B., F.B., M.T., V.C., P. Mulatero, S.M.).
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|October 23, 2025
Summary
High sodium intake alters circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), impacting immune and vascular cells. These EVs may drive endothelial dysfunction via pathways like RhoA activation and ICAM-1 expression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dietary sodium plays a crucial role in physiological processes like fluid balance and immune function.
- High sodium (HS) consumption is associated with adverse health outcomes, including hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles that may mediate the link between dietary sodium and vascular/immune alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize circulating EVs following dietary sodium modulation.
- To investigate the functional impact of these EVs on endothelial cells in vitro.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms by which EVs influence endothelial function under HS conditions.
Main Methods:
- Fifty participants underwent controlled dietary sodium interventions (restriction vs. loading).
- Serum EVs were isolated and analyzed using flow cytometry, with bioinformatics identifying EV surface antigen targets.
- Human microvascular endothelial cells were treated with patient-derived EVs to assess functional changes.
Main Results:
- High sodium diet increased EV levels of immune (CD14, CD25, CD40), coagulation/platelet (CD29, CD42, CD62P), and endothelial (CD31) markers.
- EVs from HS-diet increased endothelial RhoA activation and ICAM-1 expression, while decreasing AKT1 and increasing MAPK3.
- EVs also increased nitric oxide levels and the number of ICAM-1 positive endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Dietary sodium significantly modulates the surface antigen expression of circulating EVs.
- EVs may act as mediators of high sodium's detrimental effects on vascular health.
- EVs interact with endothelial cells, influencing pathways such as RhoA activation and ICAM-1 expression, contributing to vascular inflammation.
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