Effects of enriched-potassium diet on cardiorespiratory outcomes in experimental non-ischemic chronic heart failure

• Autores: Karla G. Schwarz, Katherin V. Pereyra, Camilo Toledo, David C. Andrade, Hugo S. Díaz, Esteban Díaz-Jara, Domiziana Ortolani, Angélica Rios-Gallardo, Paulina Arias, Alexandra Las Heras, Ignacio Vera, Fernando C. Ortiz, Nibaldo C. Inestrosa, Carlos P. Vio, Rodrigo Del-Rio
• Localización: Biological Research, ISSN-e 0717-6287, ISSN 0716-9760, Nº. 54, 2021
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a global health problem. Increased sympathetic outflow, cardiac arrhythmogenesis and irregular breathing patterns have all been associated with poor outcomes in CHF. Several studies showed that activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) play a key role in CHF pathophysiology. Interestingly, potassium (K+) supplemented diets showed promising results in normalizing RAS axis and autonomic dysfunction in vascular diseases, lowering cardiovascular risk. Whether subtle increases in dietary K+ consumption may exert similar effects in CHF has not been previously tested. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary K+ supplementation on cardiorespiratory alterations in rats with CHF. Methods: Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent volume overload to induce non-ischemic CHF. Animals were randomly allocated to normal chow diet (CHF group) or supplemented K+ diet (CHF+K+ group) for 6 weeks. Cardiac arrhythmogenesis, sympathetic outflow, baroreflex sensitivity, breathing disorders, chemoreflex function, respiratory– cardiovascular coupling and cardiac function were evaluated. Results: Compared to normal chow diet, K+ supplemented diet in CHF significantly reduced arrhythmia incidence (67.8 ± 15.1 vs. 31.0 ± 3.7 events/hour, CHF vs. CHF+K+), decreased cardiac sympathetic tone (ΔHR to propranolol: - 97.4 ± 9.4 vs. - 60.8 ± 8.3 bpm, CHF vs. CHF+K+), restored baroreflex function and attenuated irregular breathing patterns. Additionally, supplementation of the diet with K+ restores normal central respiratory chemoreflex drive and abrogates pathological cardio-respiratory coupling in CHF rats being the outcome an improved cardiac function. Conclusion: Our findings support that dietary K+ supplementation in non-ischemic CHF alleviate cardiorespiratory dysfunction.