[Renin-angiotensin system inhibition and cardiac and renal alteration induced by a high sodium diet in rat].

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to assess the influence of losartan on cardiac hypertrophy and albuminuria associated with early high sodium feeding in rats and to compare it to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, effect.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a regular diet (0.8% NaCl, NS, n=7), or high sodium diet (8% NaCl, HS, n=21) from weaning for 8 weeks. After 4 weeks of diet, two HS groups were treated or not for 4 weeks with losartan or enalapril (30 and 10 mg/kg(-1) x day(-1) respectively, n=7 in each). Food and water consumption, body weight, urinary volume and urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and albumin were measured at the end of treatment as well as arterial pressure (anesthetized rats), heart and kidney weight.

RESULTS

Eight weeks after weaning, heart weight index and albuminuria were significantly higher in HS control group when compared to the control NS group without change of arterial pressure. Treatment with losartan or enalapril had no effect either on arterial pressure or cardio-renal alterations.