Hypertensive vascular disease in DCA-treated rats given Na or Li supplement

Abstract

The effect of desoxycorticosterone treatment was assessed in uninephrectomized animals drinking NaCl, LiCl or distilled water. Those drinking NaCl solution developed polydipsia, polyuria and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Animals on LiCl which grew well developed equally severe hypertensive vascular disease but neither polydipsia nor polyuria, whereas those in which growth was inhibited remained normotensive. The same dosage of DCA produced severe hypertensive vascular disease even in rats drinking only distilled water. It appears that at high dosage of steroid the dietary sodium is sufficient to sensitize the vascular system to hormonal effects. The addition of further Na to the diet does not appreciably worsen the hypertension, but does cause a high mortality. The addition of lithium to drinking fluid markedly reduces fluid consumption and leads to impaired growth in some animals, but exerts no antihypertensive effects in animals which grow well. Various aspects of the response are discussed.