Effect of potassium chloride on the blood pressure in two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats.

Abstract

The effects of potassium loading on blood pressure (BP) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system were investigated in two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. Two series of experiments were performed: one was begun just after renal artery constriction, and the other, after hypertension had developed. Potassium loading significantly attenuated the development of hypertension, and was also able to abate existing renovascular hypertension. In both studies, potassium loading increased fluid intake and urine volume, which were accompanied by increased excretion of sodium and potassium. In spite of the massive diuretic effect, potassium loading significantly attenuated the increased plasma renin activity (PRA) induced by renal artery constriction, while it further enhanced the increased plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. There was no significant difference in the values of serum sodium and potassium between the two groups with or without potassium loading. These results suggest that potassium may attenuate the development of hypertension and reduce the elevated BP by diuresis and natriuresis and by suppression of the PRA in two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt rats.