Consuming too much salt would have a negative impact on the immune system, by reducing, among other things, the energy supply of immune cells called regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg).
- The WHO recommends consuming less than 5 grams, or just under a teaspoon, of salt per day.
- According to ANSES, the average salt consumption in France is around 10 grams/day for men and 8 grams/day for women.
Eating too much salt increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, we know. However, this excess would not only be bad for the heart. A study, coordinated by teams from the VIB Center for Inflammation Research and the University of Hasselt (Belgium) as well as those from the Max Delbrück Center (Germany), shows that a high sodium level disrupts the functioning of the immune system.
Excess salt would cut the energy supply of immune cells
Previous work has shown that excess salt triggers malfunctions in mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. The international team wanted to know if eating too much salt could therefore also disrupt the activity of regulatory T cells (Treg). These white blood cells have the role of preventing immune cells from attacking the body.
By looking at how they work, the researchers found that sodium disrupts the activity of Tregs by altering cellular metabolism and interfering with mitochondrial energy generation. To put it simply, a high consumption of sodium would prevent the energy supply of these white blood cells, thus rendering them ineffective. “This mitochondrial problem appears to be the first step in how salt alters Treg function, leading to changes in gene expression that have shown similarities to those of dysfunctional Tregs in autoimmune diseases”explain the authors of the work presented in Cell Metabolism.
In their experiments, the scientists noticed that even a short disruption in mitochondrial function had long-lasting consequences on the fitness and immune regulation capacity of Tregs.
A discovery that helps to understand certain diseases
Based on their discovery, the researchers suggest that the negative impact of sodium on immune cells could play a role in various diseases.
“Better understanding of the underlying molecular factors and mechanisms contributing to Treg dysfunction in autoimmunity is an important issue. Since these cells also play a role in diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, further exploration of sodium-mediated effects may offer novel strategies to modify Treg function in different types of disease.”explains Professor Markus Kleinewietfeld, author of the research in a communicated published on February 9, 2023.
Scientists wish to deepen their research on the subject with new experiments.
