THE INFLUENCE OF VICIA-FABA (BROAD BEAN) SEEDLINGS ON URINARY SODIUM-EXCRETION

Dopamine (DA) is known to increase diuresis and natriuresis through it s action on renal dopaminergic receptors. Augmentation of intra-renal DA concentration by enhancement of its in situ production is greatly d ependent on the availability of its precursor L-DOPA to the sites of i ts renal decarboxylation. Vicia faba (Vf) is a ubiquitous plant rich i n easily absorbable L-DOPA. Following ingestion of 40 g freshly choppe d Vf containing 120-130 mg of L-DOPA, plasma L-DOPA and urinary sodium and DA excretion increased significantly. The DA/Cre ratio reached a maximum level (280 +/- 58 mu g/g) 60 minutes after Vf ingestion. This was significantly higher than the DA/Cre ratio after a control meal (1 .8 +/- 0.2 mu g/g; P < 0.0005). The Na/Cre ratio reached the maximal l evel (2.85 +/- 0.42 mmol/g) 90 minutes after Vf ingestion. This was si gnificantly higher than the Na/Cre ratio after the control meal (1.4 /- 0.24 mmol/g; P < 0.005). We suggest that Vf might be of value in tr eating conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, and liver cirrhosis in which natriuresis and diuresis are medically be neficial.