Reduction in the elevated blood pressure of Dahl salt-sensitive rats treated chronically with L-5-hydroxytryptophan.
Rats of the Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) strains were placed on a 4% NaCl diet and blood pressures were monitored. Chronic subcutaneous infusion L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP, 12.6 mg/day) by osmotic minipumps significantly decreased the elevated systolic blood pressure of DS rats on a 4% NaCl diet. Blood pressures of DR rats were unaffected by treatment with L-5-HTP. Cardiac hypertrophy was associated with Dahl salt-induced hypertension. However, treatment with L-5-HTP failed to reduce the weight of the heart significantly. These results suggest that chronic administration of L-5-HTP was effective in reducing the elevated blood pressure in the DS model. The specific mechanisms by which L-5-HTP reduces the elevated blood pressure in DS rats is not clear and remains for further study.
Baron
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A
Department of Physiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
Riesselmann
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A
Fregly
M J
MJ
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000503:physiopathology; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan