This study aimed to investigate the specific role of nitric oxide (NO) in micro- and macrovascular response to a 7-day high-salt (HS) diet, specifically by measuring skin microvascular local thermal hyperemia and the flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, as well as serum NO and three NO synthase enzyme (NOS) isoform concentrations in healthy individuals. It also aimed to examine the concept of non-osmotic sodium storage in the skin following the HS diet by measuring body fluid status and systemic hemodynamic responses, as well as serum vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) concentration. Forty-six young, healthy individuals completed a 7-day low-salt diet, followed by a 7-day HS diet protocol. The 7-day HS diet resulted in impaired NO-mediated endothelial vasodilation in peripheral microcirculation and conduit arteries, in increased eNOS, decreased nNOS, and unchanged iNOS concentration and NO serum level. The HS diet did not change the volume of interstitial fluid, the systemic vascular resistance or the VEGF-C serum level. These results indicate that the 7-day HS-diet induces systemic impairment of NO-mediated endothelial vasodilation, while dissociation in the eNOS and nNOS response indicates complex adaptation of main NO-generating enzyme isoforms to HS intake in healthy individuals. Our results failed to support the concept of non-osmotic sodium storage.

This study aimed to investigate diet quality in a population of male competitive athletes by comparing their total energy and macro- and micronutrients intake assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to current nutritional recommendations for this specific population. An additional goal was to assess athletes’ sodium-to-potassium (Na-to-K) ratio. This cross-sectional study involved 31 healthy competitive male athletes. Subjects’ body mass index, body composition, arterial blood pressure, as well as red blood count (RBC) and serum lipid profile measurements showed that all subjects were lean and normotensive and had normal RBC and serum lipid levels. All subjects completed a cross-culturally adapted, translated, and validated EPIC–Norfolk FFQ. The total energy intake reported in the FFQ was below the recommended values; however, 71% of subjects were classified as low energy reporters (LERs). Energy intake from proteins was within and from carbohydrates was below the recommended interval, while the total energy intake from fats (and also saturated fatty acids) exceeded the recommendations. Suboptimal intakes of vitamin D and folate were observed, indicating the necessity for monitoring (and supplementing) in this population. High Na intake, which despite adequate K intake resulted in a higher Na-to-K ratio, highlighted concerns over excessive salt consumption, but also accentuated the need for monitoring sodium (and potassium) intake in competitive athletes with consideration for sweat-related losses.

Background/Objectives: Chronic topical antiglaucoma therapy may affect the ocular surface. We assessed documented dry eye disease (DED) and its associations with active-ingredient burden, treatment duration, and preservative exposure. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 357 adults receiving topical antiglaucoma therapy at a tertiary center who had complete treatment and ocular-surface data. Ocular-surface testing was prompted by symptoms or clinical judgment. The first eligible visit identified during chronological record review was analyzed for each patient. DED was based on the treating ophthalmologist’s documented diagnosis. Logistic regression evaluated treatment-related factors. Results: DED was documented in 171/357 patients within this selected sample (47.9%; 95% CI 42.8–53.1%). Prevalence was higher with at least two versus one active IOP-lowering ingredient (60.6% vs. 23.1%; p < 0.001). Each additional ingredient was associated with higher DED odds after adjustment for age, sex, and glaucoma subtype (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88–3.74). Longer treatment duration was also associated with higher odds (aOR 1.12 per 12 months, 95% CI 1.05–1.20). In the linear extended model, active-ingredient count was not associated with documented DED (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 0.69–1.51), whereas an exclusively preservative-free regimen was associated with lower odds (aOR 0.011, 95% CI 0.001–0.084) and fixed-combination therapy with higher odds (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.74–5.98). However, categorical modeling of ingredient count significantly improved extended-model fit (likelihood-ratio p < 0.001), indicating sensitivity to functional form. Documented DED occurred in 1/91 (1.1%) exclusively preservative-free patients versus 170/266 (63.9%) preserved-exposure patients, with sparse PF events limiting interpretation. Conclusions: Documented DED was common in this selected cohort undergoing ocular-surface assessment. Active-ingredient count was associated with DED in the primary adjusted model, but its interpretation in the extended model depended on the functional form used. The marked inverse association with an exclusively preservative-free regimen requires prospective confirmation because sparse data, limited overlap between treatment groups, treatment selection, and residual confounding preclude causal inference.