Question

Interactions of the DASH Diet with the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

1. What is the scientific and social importance of the interactions of the DASH Diet with the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System?

2. What are three major findings of the study?

Answer 1

In total, 44 (19 female) participants completed the study. DASH + CAP significantly lowered MAP compared with CON + CAP (83 ± 11 mmHg compared with 88 ± 14 mmHg, P <0.01). RBF was increased with DASH + CAP compared with CON + CAP (486 ± 149 cc/min compared with 451 ± 171 cc/min, P <0.001). Study diet did not change PWV but CAP reduced diastolic function on the DASH diet (P <0.05). DASH + CAP significantly increased PRA compared with CON + CAP (1.52 ± 1.78 ng/mL/min compared with 0.89 ± 1.17 ng/mL/min; P <0.001). ALDO sensitivity to AngII infusion was greater with DASH when compared to CON (17.4 ± 7.7 ng/mL compared with 13.8 ± 6.2 ng/dL, P <0.05) as was DASH + CAP compared with CON + CAP (15.1 ± 5.3 ng/dL compared with 13.1 ± 5.9 ng/mL, P <0.05).

Conclusions: The DASH diet interacts with the RAAS resulting in vascular and hormonal responses similar to a natriuretic effect, which appears to augment the hypotensive effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in individuals with isolated systolic hypertension.