Dietary salt overload or restriction during gestation in Wistar rats: effects on the renin-angiotensin system, renal function, insulin resistance and blood pressure

Author(s)

Sandra Márcia Leandro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2006-11-22

Examining board members

Joel Claudio Heimann; Maria Luiza Morais Barreto de Chaves; Terezila Machado Coimbra; Vanda Jorgetti; Nereida Kilza da Costa Lima

• Advisor: Joel Claudio Heimann

Abstract

Many epidemiological studies have linked diseases in adulthood, such as type-2 diabetes and hypertension, to adverse intrauterine environment during fetal life. Distinct factors related to dietary habits, such as salt intake, may have a major impact on the perinatal period. Recently, we have demonstrated that low-salt diet (LSD) during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight and diseases during adulthood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LSD and high-salt diet (HSD) during pregnancy in rats. Female Wistar rats were fed with LSD, normal-salt diet or HSD since 8 weeks of age and matted with 12 weeks of age. These animals were studied at the third week of gestation and one additional group of virgin rats was evaluated as a control for the gestation effect. Placenta and fetus weight and uterine blood flow were lower and peripheral vascular resistance was higher in the LSD group. In the placenta from HSD rats, higher lipid peroxidation and AT1 receptor mRNA were observed. In conclusion, fetal weight, placenta weight and uterine blood flow are influenced by the degree of salt consumption during pregnancy. (AU)