A high sodium diet alters mast cell content in the left ventricle of the Borderline Hypertensive Rat

Abstract

Recent investigations have suggested that myocardial mast cells may play an important role in the remodeling processes of the hypertrophied heart. In this study we examined the effects of dietary sodium on mast cell deposition in the ventricles of 20 male and 20 female Borderline Hypertensive Rat (BHR). Half of the animals were fed a high salt diet (8% NaCl) for 12 weeks and the other half were fed a normal salt diet (.6% NaCl). At the end of the experiment the animals were euthanized and the hearts harvested for mast cell analysis. Animals on a high salt diet exhibited an increase in systolic pressure (p<.05) and ventricular hypertrophy (p<.05). Mast cell content in the left ventricle of high salt males was 147% greater than in control males (p<.05). In high salt females, mast cell content was 144% greater than their control counterparts (p<.05). Sodium regulation of mast cell content appeared to be limited to the left ventricle. Mast cell density in the right ventricle of high salt males was not significantly different from controls. Similarly, mast cell content of high salt females was not significantly different from controls. These results show that dietary sodium can alter mast cell deposition in the left ventricle and suggest that mast cells may be linked to the development of hypertrophy.