Effect of a chronic high-salt diet on whole-body and organ sodium contents of Dahl rats

Quantitative 23Na magnetic resonance imaging in the abdomen at 3 T

OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of sodium-23 MRI for performing quantitative and non-invasive measurements of total sodium concentration (TSC) and relaxation in a variety of abdominal organs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Proton and sodium imaging of the abdomen was performed in 19 healthy volunteers using a 3D cones sequence and a sodium-tuned 4-rung transmit/receive body coil on a clinical 3 T system. The effects of B1 non-uniformity on TSC measurements were corrected using the double-angle method. The long-component of 23Na T2* relaxation time was measured using a series of variable echo-times.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation of TSC and long-component 23Na T2* values were calculated across the healthy volunteer group in the kidneys, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), liver, gallbladder, spleen, aorta, and inferior vena cava.

DISCUSSION

Mean TSC values in the kidneys, liver, and spleen were similar to those reported using 23Na-MRI previously in the literature. Measurements in the CSF and gallbladder were lower, potentially due to the reduced spatial resolution achievable in a clinically acceptable scan time. Mean long-component 23Na T2* values were consistent with previous reports from the kidneys and CSF. Intra-population standard error was larger in smaller, fluid-filled structures due to fluid motion and partial volume effects.

Metabolomics reveals the defense mechanism of histidine supplementation on high-salt exposure-induced hepatic oxidative stress

AIMS

This study mainly evaluated the protective mechanism of histidine against the hepatic oxidative stress after high-salt exposure (HSE) through combined analysis of non-targeted metabolomics and biological metabolic networks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats were fed with normal-salt diet or HSE ± histidine in addition to drinking water for 14 days. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the hepatic metabolites. The metabolic profile was analyzed by SIMCA-14.1, the metabolic correlation network was performed using Gephi-0.9.2, and pathway enrichment was analyzed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 online website.

KEY FINDINGS

Results indicated that HSE disturbed the hepatic metabolic profile, generated abnormal liver metabolism and exacerbated oxidative stress. Histidine supplementation significantly reversed the hepatic metabolic profile. Of note, 14 differential metabolic pathways were enriched after histidine supplementation, most of which played an important role in ameliorating redox and nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. Histidine administration decreased the levels of hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde, and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione S-transferase and Glutathione reductases). Histidine effectively enhanced the endogenous synthesis of glutathione by increasing the levels of glutamate and cysteine, thereby enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the glutathione system. After histidine administration, lysine, glutamate, and hypotaurine owned a higher metabolic centrality in the correlation network. In addition, histidine could also effectively increase the endogenous synthesis of NO by enhancing the _L-arginine/NO pathway.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study offers new insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying the antioxidant protective effect of histidine on the liver.

Mechanism of diastolic stiffening of the failing myocardium and its prevention by angiotensin receptor and calcium channel blockers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism responsible for the increased cardiac stiffness associated with hypertensive heart failure in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats and the effects of treatment with the combination of a calcium channel blocker [azelnidipine (AZE)] and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker [olmesartan (OLM)].

METHODS

DS rats fed a high-salt diet from 7 weeks of age were treated (or not) from 12 to 19 weeks of age with the vasodilator hydralazine, OLM plus AZE, or the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor apocynin. Rats fed a low-salt diet served as controls.

RESULTS

Treatment with OLM plus AZE attenuated changes in the expression of collagen isoforms and a decrease in the ratio of elastin to collagen in the left ventricle and prevented the increase in myocardial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction in DS rats in a manner independent of the hypotensive effect of these drugs. Such treatment also inhibited the expression and activation of elastolytic proteases (including cathepsins S and K and metalloproteinases-2, -9, and -12), NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production, and inflammatory changes in the failing myocardium. All these effects were mimicked by treatment with apocynin.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes in collagen isoform expression and the decrease in the elastin to collagen ratio in the failing myocardium likely account for the increase in diastolic stiffness in this model of hypertensive heart failure. Administration of angiotensin receptor and calcium channel blockers prevented these changes in a manner independent of the hypotensive effect of these drugs by inhibiting the increase in elastolytic activity induced by activation of NADPH oxidase.

Development of Heart Failure in Chronic Hypertensive Dahl Rats

The impact of hypertension on left ventricular (LV) structure, pump function, and heart failure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats is poorly characterized but hypothesized to yield insights into the pathophysiology of heart failure with normal or preserved ejection fraction. Eighty Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed either a high-salt (HS) or low-salt (LS, controls) diet starting at age 7 weeks. Ventricular properties were measured by echocardiography, hemodynamics and end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships (ESPVR and EDPVR, respectively). Compared with LS controls, HS rats developed severe hypertension and LV hypertrophy. At week 12, HS rats developed passive diastolic dysfunction (leftward/upward shifted EDPVR, increased chamber stiffness) with reductions in end-diastolic volume. However, the ESPVR also shifted upward (enhanced end-systolic function) so that overall pump function was enhanced compared with LS, and there was no change in end-diastolic pressure (EDP). At 16 and 20 weeks, HS hearts enlarged so that end-diastolic volumes and EDPVRs became similar to the respective age-matched LS controls. Concomitantly, the ESPVRs and overall pump function curves also moved toward controls, and ejection fraction declined. Despite normal or enhanced overall pump function at these times, EDP and wet lung weight increased, indicative of development of heart failure. In the Dahl salt-sensitive rat, which pathophysiologically retains salt and water, the development of heart failure (increased EDP and wet lung weight) is dissociated from changes in passive diastolic and active systolic properties. These observations suggest that a volume overload sate plays an important pathophysiological role in development of heart failure despite preserved overall ventricular pump function in this model of chronic hypertension.

Hypertension, sodium retention, calcium excretion and osteopenia in Dahl rats

BACKGROUND

Salt-sensitive hypertension in the Dahl rat is associated with abnormalities in both calcium (Ca2+) and sodium (Na) homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that salt-induced abnormal Ca(2+) handling in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats is associated with negative Ca(2+) balance and bone disease.

METHODS

Ca(2+) excretion in acute and chronic Na(+) loading and electrolyte and water balance were determined by balance studies in Dahl salt-resistant (DSR) and salt-sensitive (DSS) rats fed 8 or 0.1% NaCl for 4 weeks. A dry ashing procedure was used to determine Na(+), Ca(2+), and water content and their association with blood pressure in the rats.

RESULTS

When fed 8% NaCl, DSS rats initially maintained a positive Ca(2+) balance and showed decreased natriuresis compared with DSR rats. During the course of Na(+) loading, DSS rats increased natriuresis and calciuresis. After 4 weeks of salt loading, cumulative Na balance was greater and cumulative Ca(2+) balance was less in DSS than in DSR rats. In addition, DSS rats developed osteopenia. Bone mineral content correlated inversely with blood pressure in DSS rats. Acute saline volume expansion in DSS rats demonstrated their ability to excrete the Na load fully, but led to an exaggerated renal loss of Ca(2+) compared with DSR rats.

CONCLUSION

DSS, but not DSR, develop Ca(2+) loss and ostopenia during chronic Na(+) loading. We speculate that Na retention in DSS rats fed a high Na diet may be in part a compensatory mechanism to maintain Ca(2+) balance.

Reduced osmotically inactive Na storage capacity and hypertension in the Dahl model

Recent evidence suggested that Na can be stored in an osmotically inactive form. We investigated whether osmotically inactive Na storage is reduced in a rat model of salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension. SS and salt-resistant (SR) Dahl-Rapp rats as well as Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a high (8%)- or low (0.1%)-NaCl diet for 4 wk (n = 10/group). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured at the end of the experiment. Wet and dry weights, water content, total body Na (TBS), and bone Na content were measured by dessication and dry ashing. MAP was higher in both Dahl strains than in SD rats. In SS rats, 8% NaCl led to Na accumulation, water retention, and hypertension due to impaired renal Na excretion. There was no dietary-induced Na retention in SR and SD rats. TBS was variable; nevertheless, TBS was significantly correlated with body water and MAP in all strains. However, the extent of Na-associated volume and MAP increases was strain specific. Osmotically inactive Na in SD rats was threefold higher than in SS and SR rats. Both SS and SR Dahl rat strains displayed reduced osmotically inactive Na storage capacity compared with SD controls. A predisposition to fluid accumulation and high blood pressure results from this alteration. Additional factors, including impaired renal Na excretion, probably contribute to hypertension in SS rats. Our results draw attention to the role of osmotically inactive Na storage.

L-Arginine improves endothelial function in renal artery of hypertensive Dahl rats

OBJECTIVES

To clarify whether endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF) is developed in renal artery of hypertensive Dahl rats and whether prolonged oral L-arginine treatments prevent development of EDCF and hypertension.

DESIGN

The effect of prolonged salt treatment with or without L-arginine on the renal artery was examined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dahl salt-sensitive and -resistant rats were fed a 0.4 or an 8% NaCl diet for 4 weeks. High sodium intake increased arterial pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. The rings of renal arteries were suspended for isometric tension recording. Only in the hypertensive rats, more than 1 micromol/l acetylcholine induced an endothelium-dependent contraction response. The contraction was completely inhibited by indomethacin or ONO-3708 [prostaglandin H2 (PGH2)/thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist], and partially inhibited by OKY-046 (TXA2 synthetase inhibitor). Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly depressed in hypertensive rats, which was partially improved by SQ29548 (PGH2/TXA2 receptor antagonist). Oral L-arginine, but not ONO-8809 (orally active PGH2/TXA2 receptor antagonist) treatment, inhibited the contraction and amended the relaxation. The endothelium-independent contraction to TXA2 receptor agonist U46619 and relaxation to nitroprusside were not altered by L-arginine treatment The L-Arginine treatment reduced blood pressure and sodium retention with increases in urinary NO2-/NO3- and cGMP excretion. Hydralazine treatment also inhibited development of EDCF.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine is caused in part by induction of EDCF synthesis/release in renal arteries of hypertensive Dahl rats. L-arginine can attenuate sodium retention and development of hypertension, which lead to a decrease in EDCF synthesis in renal arteries.

Potassium supplementation increases sodium excretion and nitric oxide production in hypertensive Dahl rats

The present study was designed to investigate whether antihypertensive and natriuretic effects of K were achieved by elevation of nitric oxide (NO) production in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats. The rats were placed in individual metabolic cage and fed a high sodium diet with or without K supplementation for 4 weeks. K supplementation counteracted the blood-pressure raising effect of NaCl. K supplementation significantly enhanced sodium excretion and reduced sodium retention, increased the urinary nitrite plus nitrate excretion and kidney constitutive NO synthase activity in salt-loaded DS rats. These effect did not occur in the rats fed a low sodium diet with K supplementation. These results suggest that K supplementation attenuates development of hypertension with reduction of sodium retention in salt-loaded DS rats, which is mediated by the recovery of salt-induced NO production mechanism.

Organ and development related difference in tissue norepinephrine concentrations in Dahl rats

To determine organ and development related differences in tissue norepinephrine concentration (tNE) in Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and -resistant (R) rats, we measured the tNE of 16 organs, including the heart (left ventricle), kidney, cerebrum, brain stem, stomach, jejunum, ileum, colon, spleen, pancreas, liver, aorta, lung, bone, salivary gland, and muscle, at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 weeks old. Large differences were found in tNE among the organs of both S and R rats, ranging from 4.0 +/- 1.1 ng/g tissue (the bone of S rats) to 1234.8 +/- 32.5 ng/g tissue (the salivary gland of R rats). tNE in R rats increased development-dependently in 12 of 16 organs, but did not significantly change in the other three organs, and decreased in the bone. On the other hand, the development-dependent increase in tNE was suppressed in S rats, and the tNE values of S rats were significantly lower than those of R rats in 14 of 16 organs. To eliminate the baroreflexive effects on tNE, another group of 5-week-old S and R rats were subjected to sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or the sham operation. The tNE was measured in 10 organs in these animals at 9 weeks old. SAD did not alter the tNE in most of the organs in both S and R rats. There was no significant differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between S and R rats with baroreceptor intact at 9 weeks old. SAD slightly but significantly increased MAP in S rats, whereas not in R rats. There was no significant differences in plasma NE concentration (pNE) between S and R rats with the baroreceptor intact. SAD did not alter pNE in S or R rats. These results demonstrate that variations of the tNE were dependent on the organ and development. Many organs of S rats had lower tNE than those of R rats. The developmental-dependent increases in tNE in S rats were suppressed, compared with those in R rats. These tNE behaviors in S rats may not be related to blood pressure or baroreflex sensitivity, but might be involved in an abnormal sympathetic nerve activity.

Sinoaortic denervation produces sodium retention in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

The role of the arterial baroafferent signals in sodium (Na) homeostasis was examined in salt-sensitive rats. Sodium balances, water balances, and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were measured for 3 weeks in sinoaortic denervated (SAD) or sham denervated (Sham) Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rats fed a standard-salt diet (0.4% NaCl). In R rats, there was no significant difference in Na balance, water balance, or SAP between the SAD and Sham animals. In the S rats, urinary Na excretion was suppressed in the SAD but not in the Sham animals, resulting in Na retention. SAD significantly increased SAP and mean arterial pressure. High salt challenge (8% NaCl diet) markedly increased SAP and Na and water balances in both S-SAD and S-Sham rats. However, no significant difference was found in SAP or cumulative Na and water balances between S-SAD and S-Sham rats. These results suggest that the baroafferent signals may have some role on the regulation of Na balance in salt-sensitive animals under a standard-salt condition, although a high-salt load masked the baroafferent-dependent sodium excretion.