title: Effects of potassium supplementation on blood pressure, electrolytes and 3H-norepinephrine release in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: Potassium supplementation has been shown to decrease blood pressure in human and animal models of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to determine if potassium supplementation altered sympathetic nerve activity by altering 3H-norepinephrine release in caudal artery preparations of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Supplementation in the drinking water with 0.5 or 1.0% KCl for 5 weeks lowered blood pressure (19 and 25 mm Hg, respectively) in SHR but had no effect on WKY. The decrease in blood pressure with 0.5% KCl was not accompanied by significant changes in either plasma or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium or potassium levels in either SHR or WKY. 3H-Norepinephrine release induced by 56 mmol/l KCl was not altered in either SHR or WKY. However, the ability of yohimbine to enhance 3H-norepinephrine release in caudal artery preparations was significantly decreased by potassium supplementation in SHR, but was not affected in WKY. These data suggest that potassium supplementation may alter alpha 2-adrenoceptor activity. Further studies are required to determine if this altered alpha 2-adrenoceptor activity plays a direct role in the blood-pressure-lowering effects of potassium supplementation.
authors: Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Meldrum
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D009638:Norepinephrine