Abstract

CERNA CORTES, Joel et al. Analysis of the effect of salt intake on the development of obesity: is there such a thing as "salty obesity"?. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2013, vol.32, n.4, pp.421-430. ISSN 0864-0300.

Objectives: intestinal transport of glucose and many amino acids is performed by the SGLT1 cotransporter only when the latter is bound to the sodium ion. Salt contributes a sodium ion per molecule ingested. Human salt intake is often tenfold the required amount, and is generally accompanied by a carbohydrate-rich diet. The present paper evaluates whether an abundant salt intake leads to the development of obesity. It is based on the assumption that reducing the amount of salt in foods is a simple weight-loss strategy. Methods: to corroborate the hypothesis, an evaluation was conducted of the effect of salt on intestinal glucose absorption, based on tolerance curves for glucose with and without salt. An analysis was also made of whether a diet rich in carbohydrates and salt leads to the development of obesity in Wistar rats. Results: experiments showed that salt intake does not influence intestinal glucose absorption or the development of obesity in Wistar rats. Conclusion: sodium naturally recirculating from the cytoplasm of enterocytes to the intestinal lumen keeps the SGLT1 glucose cotransporter saturated and at all times ensures the transport of the glucose ingested in the diet.

Keywords : intestinal glucose transport; salt-rich diet; obesity; SGLT1 transporter.

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