A novel method for induction of salt appetite in rats.
A number of procedures exist for the experimental induction of sodium appetite. With the exception of a low sodium diet, nearly all of these methods are invasive, requiring injections, surgery, or both. In addition to stimulating intake of concentrated salt, some of them produce substantial side-effects like reduced food intake and weight gain. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel non-invasive method to induce a salt appetite. We investigated the effects of ingesting 100 microM amiloride, a diuretic and natriuretic compound, on urine quantity, electrolyte balance, 0.5 1M sodium chloride (NaCl) intake, water intake, and Na(+)-free chow intake, and weight gain in rats. A water ingestion only group served as control. Consumption of amiloride in mixture with water produced greater loss of urinary Na(+) and intake of 0.51 M NaCl compared with controls. This treatment was without effect on food intake and only modestly influenced weight gain. These results demonstrate a rapid and non-invasive method for the induction of salt appetite free of unwanted side-effects.
Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Vincent G
VG
Caloiero
Robert F
RF
Lundy
D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012964:Sodium / Q000172:deficiency / Q000652:urine; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
D004232:Diuretics; D004573:Electrolytes; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D000584:Amiloride; D012964:Sodium