SODIUM DEPLETION PREVENTS ALBUMINURIA IN HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The effect of short term (8 weeks) sodium (Na+) depletion and its repl etion on glomerular synthesis of heparan sulfate and urinary excretion s of albumin, total protein, heparan sulfate, Na+ and potassium (K+) w as studied in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and their control no rmotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Na+ depletion in SHRs significantl y increased the synthesis of glomerular heparan sulfate and decreased urinary excretions of albumin, Na+ and heparan sulfate when compared w ith the Na+ repleted group. In WKY rats, Na+ depletion did not cause a ny of the above changes. These data suggest that Na+ depletion prevent s the urinary loss of protein through preservation of glomerular hepar an sulfate only in SHRs.