Sodium and Potassium Intake, Blood Pressure, and Pressor Response to Angiotensin.

Abstract

Summary The effect on the resting arterial blood pressure and on the pressor responsiveness to angiotensin has been investigated in rats maintained on diets of varying sodium and potassium content. A high sodium diet for 8 weeks did not affect resting blood pressure, but it induced a significant increase in the pressor response to angiotensin. Conversely, a low sodium diet reduced pressor sensitivity to angiotensin. A potassium deficient diet lowered blood pressure and the response to angiotensin. A high potassium diet produced no changes in these indices. Simultaneous deficiency of both sodium and potassium exerted no effect on blood pressure or the response to angiotensin.