title: Effects of a high K+/low Na+ diet on blood pressure in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: Blood pressure was measured after treatment with a high K+, a low Na+ and a combined high K+/low Na+ diet in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A high K+ diet reduced blood pressure by approximately 10 mmHg during the development of hypertension. This decrease was accompanied by a significant increase in water intake and urine volume and a significant decrease in plasma renin activity (PRA). A low Na+ diet also decreased blood pressure significantly, but, in contrast to the high K+ diet, water intake and urine volume significantly decreased and PRA increased. When both diets were given together, the antihypertensive effects of both were eliminated. Thus while an increase in dietary K+ and a decrease in dietary Na+ are both effective antihypertensive regimens in SHR, the mechanism of action of each appears to be different and may be antagonistic in these animals.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D014556:Urine
chemical_list: D012083:Renin; D011188:Potassium