Intestinal Mineralocorticoid Receptors Help Control Sodium Absorption and Blood Pressure

Fecal sodium excretion was 1.5-fold higher in IEC-specific MR knockout mice compared to control mice.

• Intestinal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may play a significant role in regulating sodium absorption in the colon.
• IEC-specific MR knockout mice showed a 30% decrease in urinary sodium excretion while maintaining sodium balance.
• A low-salt diet resulted in notable reductions in body weight and blood pressure in IEC-MR-KO mice.
• Plasma aldosterone levels increased as a compensatory mechanism in IEC-MR-KO mice on a low-salt diet.
• High-salt diets led to similar increases in intestinal sodium absorption in both IEC-MR-KO and control mice without raising blood pressure.
• The MR antagonist spironolactone negated the differences in blood pressure and intestinal sodium absorption between the two genotypes.

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