GenSalt: Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt Sensitivity

GENSalt is a NHLBI/NIH-funded multi-center study designed to identify through dietary sodium and potassium intervention the salt-sensitive genes underlying essential hypertension in rural Chinese families. Approximately 750 families with at least one ‘proband’ with high blood pressure were recruited and tested on a wide variety of physiological, metabolic and biochemical measures at baseline and at multiple times during the 3-week intervention. The intervention consisted of one week on a low sodium diet, followed by one week on a high sodium diet, and finally one week on a high sodium diet with a potassium supplement. This international study is a collaborative effort among several institutions in China and the United States. The Chinese Field Coordinating Center (FCC) is headed by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, the Study Coordinating Center (SCC) is headed by Tulane University in New Orleans, the Genotyping is headed by the University of Texas in Houston, and the Data Coordinating and Analysis Center (DCAC) is headed by Washington University in St. Louis.