EFFECT OF DIETARY-SODIUM CHLORIDE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENAL GLOMERULAR AND VASCULAR-LESIONS IN HYPERTENSIVE RATS

1. The hypothesis that high levels of NaCl in the diet aggravates hype rtensiqn-associated renal vascular lesions was examined in unilaterall y nephrectomized deoxycorticosterone acetate treated (DOCA) and two ki dney one clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats, as well as normotensive contro ls. 2. High NaCl diet significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in DOCA rats, but had little effect on SBP in normal control rat s, and did not affect the rise of SBP in 2K1C rats. 3. High NaCl diet was associated with a higher percentage of glomerular lesions and rena l arterial and arteriolar lesions in DOCA and 2K1C rats (P<0.05). 4. T hus high NaCl intake exacerbated renal arterial and arteriolar and glo merular lesions in both DOCA and 2K1C hypertensive rats. In 2K1C rats this effect may be in part independent of blood pressure.