High salt intake: mechanisms of left ventricular hypertrophy development in male Wistar rats

Author(s)

Daniele Nunes Ferreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2009-12-16

Examining board members

Joel Claudio Heimann; Dulce Elena Casarini; Maria Luiza Morais Barreto de Chaves; Silvana Chiavegatto; Antonio Carlos Seguro

• Advisor: Joel Claudio Heimann

Abstract

Increased blood pressure is not the only consequence of salt overload. Independently from the hemodynamic effect, salt excess may induce structural alterations in the myocardium. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanisms of the myocardium structural alteration in response to high salt intake. Male Wistar rats were fed normal (NR: 1.3% NaCl), high 1 (HR1 4%) or high 2 (HR2 8%) salt diet since weaning until 18th week of age. HR2 group was divided in HR2, HR2+hydralazine (HZ: 15mg/ kg/ dia) and HR2+losartan (LOS: 20mg/ kg/ dia). Drugs were administered since the 7th week of age. Tail-cuff blood pressure (Tc-BP), plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone (ALDO), echocardiography, left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular mass, cardiomyocyte transverse diameter (CTD), interstitial fibrosis (IF), protein expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors, angiotensin II content (AII), binding of the conformational specific anti-AT1 and anti-AT2 antibody in both ventricles were determined in the LV and RV. Tc-BP was higher in the HR1 and HR2 groups when compared to NR. Tc-BP on HR2+HZ and HR2+LOS did not differ from NR. PRA and ALDO were lower in the HR1, HR2, HR2+HZ and HR2+LOS when compared to NR. Interventricular septal and left ventricular posterior wall thicknesses were higher on HR1, HR2, HR2+HZ and HR2+LOS compared to NR. LV and RV mass was higher in the HR2, HR2+HZ and HR2+LOS when compared to NR. CTD in the LV was higher on HR1, HR2 and HR2+HZ groups than on NR and HR2+LOS groups. CTD in the RV was higher in the HR2 and HR2+HZ when compared to NR, HR1 and HR2+LOS groups. IF was higher in the LV and RV in HR1, HR2 and HR2+LOS groups than in NR and HR2+HZ groups. AT1 protein expression was higher in the HR2 and HR2+HZ compared to NR, HR1 and HR2+LOS groups. High salt intake did not increase AT2 protein expression in the HR1, HR2 and HR2+HZ groups. However, losartan induced a decrease in AT2 protein expression. In response to high salt intake, the binding of an AT1 conformational specific antibody was lower in both ventricles. Binding of the conformational specific anti-AT2 antibody in both ventricles did not change in response to HR1 and HR2. However, binding of the conformational specific anti-AT2 antibody was lower in both ventricles in the HR2+LOS group. AII was higher in both ventricles in the HR1, HR2, HR2+HZ and HR2+LOS groups. Myocardial structural alterations in response to high salt intake are independent of the effect on blood pressure. Salt induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis are due to different mechanisms. Some evidences from the present study are in favor of salt induced AT1 receptor internalization probably due to AII binding. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/50053-7 - High salt intake: mechanisms of left ventricular hypertrophy development
• Grantee: Daniele Nunes Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)