The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)

Abstract Background The study was designed to establish a hypertensive nonhuman primate model to evaluate the role of dietary salt intake on blood pressure levels and gut microbiome regulation. Sixteen adult vervet monkeys were selected and assigned into two groups (control and experimental). The co...

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Main Authors: Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu, Sanele Khoza, Mikateko Mazinu, Esme Jordaan, Meenu Ghai, Chesa Gift Chauke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04795-9
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author Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu
Sanele Khoza
Mikateko Mazinu
Esme Jordaan
Meenu Ghai
Chesa Gift Chauke
author_facet Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu
Sanele Khoza
Mikateko Mazinu
Esme Jordaan
Meenu Ghai
Chesa Gift Chauke
author_sort Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The study was designed to establish a hypertensive nonhuman primate model to evaluate the role of dietary salt intake on blood pressure levels and gut microbiome regulation. Sixteen adult vervet monkeys were selected and assigned into two groups (control and experimental). The control group was given a maintenance diet (100 g), whereas the diet of the experimental group was supplemented with 1.5 g/day of dietary salt in the mornings for six months (T0-T6), thereafter, the dose was increased to 2 g/day for additional six months (T9-T12). Blood and stool samples were collected for biochemical and 16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results The control group was borderline hypertensive (134.7/62.9 mmHg), whereas elevated blood pressure levels (171.3/81.3 mmHg) were observed at T12 indicating the experimental group to be salt sensitive. Furthermore, gut microbiome analysis showed two main phyla, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. However, there was no significant difference for alpha and beta diversity for both groups. Conclusion These findings suggested that dietary salt intake (1.5–2 g/day) caused alterations in systolic blood pressure levels, chloride and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However, these changes were not associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis even though significant changes were observed over time for the individual groups.
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spelling doaj-art-cf8c107ba9224e4680c189bf480ea0a92025-08-20T03:10:31ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-05-0121111010.1186/s12917-025-04795-9The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu0Sanele Khoza1Mikateko Mazinu2Esme Jordaan3Meenu Ghai4Chesa Gift Chauke5Primate Unit and Delft Animal Centre (PUDAC), South African Medical Research CouncilPrimate Unit and Delft Animal Centre (PUDAC), South African Medical Research CouncilBiostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilBiostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilSchool of life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-NatalPrimate Unit and Delft Animal Centre (PUDAC), South African Medical Research CouncilAbstract Background The study was designed to establish a hypertensive nonhuman primate model to evaluate the role of dietary salt intake on blood pressure levels and gut microbiome regulation. Sixteen adult vervet monkeys were selected and assigned into two groups (control and experimental). The control group was given a maintenance diet (100 g), whereas the diet of the experimental group was supplemented with 1.5 g/day of dietary salt in the mornings for six months (T0-T6), thereafter, the dose was increased to 2 g/day for additional six months (T9-T12). Blood and stool samples were collected for biochemical and 16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results The control group was borderline hypertensive (134.7/62.9 mmHg), whereas elevated blood pressure levels (171.3/81.3 mmHg) were observed at T12 indicating the experimental group to be salt sensitive. Furthermore, gut microbiome analysis showed two main phyla, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. However, there was no significant difference for alpha and beta diversity for both groups. Conclusion These findings suggested that dietary salt intake (1.5–2 g/day) caused alterations in systolic blood pressure levels, chloride and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). However, these changes were not associated with gut microbiome dysbiosis even though significant changes were observed over time for the individual groups.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04795-9Blood pressureBacteroidetesAnd FirmicutesMicrobiome diversitySalt sensitivityNonhuman primates
spellingShingle Zandisiwe Emilia Magwebu
Sanele Khoza
Mikateko Mazinu
Esme Jordaan
Meenu Ghai
Chesa Gift Chauke
The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
BMC Veterinary Research
Blood pressure
Bacteroidetes
And Firmicutes
Microbiome diversity
Salt sensitivity
Nonhuman primates
title The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
title_full The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
title_fullStr The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
title_full_unstemmed The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
title_short The impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive-bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
title_sort impact of dietary salt on the development of hypertension and gut microbiome dysbiosis in captive bred vervet monkeys chlorocebus aethiops
topic Blood pressure
Bacteroidetes
And Firmicutes
Microbiome diversity
Salt sensitivity
Nonhuman primates
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04795-9
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