Sodium in the Skin: A summary of the physiology and scoping review of disease associations

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Sodium in the Skin: A summary of the physiology and scoping review of disease associations
Abstract
A large and growing body of research suggests that the skin plays an important role in regulating total body sodium, challenging traditional models of sodium homeostasis that focused exclusively on blood pressure and the kidney. In addition, skin sodium may help to prevent water loss and facilitate macrophage-driven antimicrobial host defense, but may also trigger immune dysregulation via upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers and downregulation of anti-inflammatory processes. We performed a systematic search of PubMed for published literature on skin sodium and disease outcomes and found that skin sodium concentration is increased in patients with cardiometabolic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease; autoimmune conditions including multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis; and dermatologic conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and lipedema. Several patient characteristics are associated with increased skin sodium concentration including older age and male sex. While animal evidence suggests that increased salt intake results in higher skin sodium levels, there are conflicting results from small trials in humans. Additionally, limited data suggest that pharmaceuticals such as diuretics and SGLT-2 inhibitors approved for diabetes, as well as hemodialysis may reduce skin sodium levels. In summary, emerging research supports an important role for skin sodium in physiologic processes related to osmoregulation and immunity. With the advent of new non-invasive MRI measurement techniques and continued research on skin sodium, it may emerge as a marker of immune-mediated disease activity or a potential therapeutic target.
Publication
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
Pages
llad080
Date
2023-03-27
Journal Abbr
Clin Exp Dermatol
Language
eng
ISSN
1365-2230
Short Title
Sodium in the Skin
Library Catalog
PubMed
Citation
Chattopadhyay, A., Tully, J., Shan, J., Sheikh, S., Ohliger, M., Gordon, J., Mauro, T., & Abuabara, K. (2023). Sodium in the Skin: A summary of the physiology and scoping review of disease associations. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, llad080. https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llad080
Topic
Remark
The Lipedema Foundation LEGATO Lipedema Library is not currently in possession of this resource.