EFFECT OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE UPON THE BLOOD PRESSURE OF RATS FED VARIED DIETARY INTAKES OF POTASSIUM AND SODIUM*

Abstract

Five groups of rats in which hypertension failed to develop consequent to uninephrectomy and the application of a unilateral renal ligature were injd. with DCA and concomitantly fed diets varying in their content of Na and K. Results indicate that an adequate intake of K is essential for the development and persistence of DCA-induced hypertension but that excess K intake does not potentiate the pressor effect of DCA. It further was found that DCA induces a depressor response when the dietary Na/K ratio is increased. It was concluded that the K has a specific relationship to DCA-induced hypertension.