Modulation of blood pressure by dietary potassium and sodium: Sex differences and modeling analysis.

High Na intake has been linked to elevations in blood pressure, whereas K has the opposite effect. The underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among renal function, fluid volume, fluid-regulatory hormones, the vasculature, cardiac function, and the autonomic nervous system. These mechanisms are likely moderated by sex, given the known sex differences in blood pressure regulation and the higher prevalence of hypertension in men.

A modeling analysis of whole body potassium regulation on a high-potassium diet: proximal tubule and tubuloglomerular feedback effects.

Potassium (K) is an essential electrolyte that plays a key role in many physiological processes, including mineralcorticoid action, systemic blood-pressure regulation, and hormone secretion and action. Indeed, maintaining K balance is critical for normal cell function, as too high or too low K levels can have serious and potentially deadly health consequences. K homeostasis is achieved by an intricate balance between the intracellular and extracellular fluid as well as balance between K intake and excretion.

Mathematical modeling of calcium homeostasis in female rats: An analysis of sex differences and maternal adaptations.

Calcium plays a vital role in various biological processes, including muscle contractions, blood clotting, skeletal mineralization, and cell signaling. While extracellular calcium makes up less than 1% of total body calcium, it is tightly regulated since too high or too low extracellular calcium concentration can have dangerous effects on the body. Mathematical modeling is a well-suited approach to investigate the complex physiological processes involved in calcium regulation.

Effect of pregnancy and hypertension on kidney function in female rats: Modeling and functional implications.

Throughout pregnancy, the kidneys undergo significant adaptations in morphology, hemodynamics, and transport to achieve the volume and electrolyte retention required to support a healthy pregnancy. Additionally, during pregnancies complicated by chronic hypertension, altered renal function from normal pregnancy occurs. The goal of this study is to analyze how inhibition of critical transporters affects gestational kidney function as well as how renal function is affected during chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

A mathematical model of potassium homeostasis: Effect of feedforward and feedback controls.

Maintaining normal potassium (K+) concentrations in the extra- and intracellular fluid is critical for cell function. K+ homeostasis is achieved by ensuring proper distribution between extra- and intracellular fluid compartments and by matching K+ excretion with intake. The Na+-K+-ATPase pump facilitates K+ uptake into the skeletal muscle, where most K+ is stored.

Sex and species differences in epithelial transport in rat and mouse kidneys: Modeling and analysis.

The goal of this study was to investigate the functional implications of sex and species differences in the pattern of transporters along nephrons in the rat and mouse kidney, as reported by Veiras et al. ( 28: 3504-3517, 2017). To do so, we developed the first sex-specific computational models of epithelial water and solute transport along the nephrons from male and female mouse kidneys, and conducted simulations along with our published rat models.

Adaptive changes in single-nephron GFR, tubular morphology, and transport in a pregnant rat nephron: modeling and analysis.

Normal pregnancy is characterized by massive increases in plasma volume and electrolyte retention. Given that the kidneys regulate homeostasis of electrolytes and volume, the organ undergoes major adaptations in morphology, hemodynamics, and transport to achieve the volume and electrolyte retention required in pregnancy. These adaptations are complex, sometimes counterintuitive, and not fully understood.