ENHANCED SENSITIVITY TO SALT-INDUCED HIGH BLOOD-PRESSURE IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

Salt-induced high blood pressure in diabetic rats was compared with th at in non-diabetic (control) rats. Before the rats had eaten the high- salt diet, the diabetic group exhibited significantly greater presser response to noradrenaline (100 ng/100 g body weight) than the controls (P < 0.05). When the rats were given a high-salt diet, a significant increase in blood pressure was recorded 4 weeks earlier in the diabeti c than in the control group (P < 0.05); this increase occurred after 2 weeks in the diabetic group, but after 6 weeks of high-salt diet in t he controls. The enhanced state of vascular reactivity in the diabetic rats was probably responsible for their enhanced sensitivity to salt- induced high blood pressure.