High-Salt Diet May Cause Blood Vessel Lining Damage Through Cell Aging

A 28-day high-salt diet (8% NaCl) induced endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular senescence markers in male C57BL/6J mice.

• Endothelial dysfunction and vascular senescence were observed only after 28 days of high-salt diet, not after 14 days.
• Treatment with the senolytic drug navitoclax reduced senescence markers and improved vascular function.
• High-salt diet exposure elevated inflammatory gene expression in immune cells and increased circulating levels of interleukin-16 (IL16).
• Recombinant IL16 treatment caused endothelial dysfunction and increased p21 expression in mesenteric arteries and endothelial cells.
• The findings suggest that prolonged high-salt intake may lead to vascular dysfunction primarily through immune activation rather than direct effects on endothelial cells.

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