Acute Salt loading modulates Hemodynamic response to Postural change and Exercise in Male students of a Nigerian University   Okwute Patrick Godwin1, Sabinari Isaiah Woru2, Olasehinde Oluwatoyin Ezekiel3, Olusoga A. Sofola4 1Department of Physiology, Babcock University, Ilisha-Remo, Ogun state 2Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 3Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin 4Department of Physiology, University of Lagos, Lagos state   Abstract Background: Dietary salt consumption has been shown to alter fluid and electrolyte balance and plays important role in arterial blood pressure regulation. In this study, we hypothesized that short-term salt loading would impair blood pressure regulation, blood and urinary electrolyte levels, and urinary volume after exercise and postural adjustments in young Nigerian males.   Method: Eight (8) healthy male subjects between the age of twenty to thirty one (20-31) years who were recreationally active and non-smokers were recruited for 5 days. Anthropometric data were taken while blood pressure and heart rate readings were recorded at rest and after postural changes and exercise on the first day before salt load, and on the last day after salt load respectively. Blood and urinary samples were collected on the first day and last day before and after salt loading were analyzed using two analytical methods (flame photometry and indirect ion-selective electrode potentiometry). Data was analyzed using graph pad statistical software (version 5) and statistical significant was set at p<0.05.   Results: Data showed that moderate salt ingestion in healthy young males led to insignificant increases in SBP, DBP, MABP, HR, serum and urine electrolytes, and urine volume compared to baseline.  Postural changes from supine to standing elicited progressive decreases in SBP, DBP, MABP, but increase in HR after salt loading. Exercise led to significantly increased SBP and MABP following salt loading, while DBP was unchanged. However, HR was increased after exercise compared with before salt load and exercise.   Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that short-term salt ingestion elicits slight increases in hemodynamic and urinary parameters in young healthy adults. Short-term salt loading shows the propensity to increase arterial blood volume and trigger sympathetic response to regulate blood flow following postural change and during exercise.