Abstract P3027: Potasium Adaptation Down-regulates PSGL-1 And I-CAM-1 Gene Expressions In Salt -Induced Hypertensive Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Background: There is an increasing prevalence of hypertension and dietary salt intake has been linked as its risk factor. Although many studies have elucidated this association, the mechanisms by which the increase in salt intake leads to development hypertension have been postulated but yet inconclusive. P - Selectin glycoprotein ligand-1(PSGL-1) and Intercellular adhesion molecule (I-CAM-1) have been implicated in the development of salt sensitive hypertension through vascular inflammation and injury. The role of potassium in blood pressure regulation has been severally reported. Scarce reports of the association of potassium adaptation with high blood pressure development form the basis of this study. We aimed at defining the role of potassium adaptation in the development of salt -induced hypertension in Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: This study was divided into two phases: the induction and confirmation of hypertension and the effect of potassium adaptation. The test group received high salt diet (8% NaCl) for 6 weeks while the control animals were fed with standard rat chow and given water ad libitum. Phase II comprised of pre-treated animals with KCl before induction of hypertension and post induction treatment group with KCl. Blood pressures were monitored as well as blood samples taken for analysis of the gene expressions of I-CAM-1 and PSGL-1 using Standard Laboratory methods Results: We observed a spontaneous significant increases in the blood pressures of the test animals as from the 4 th week compared with the control (P<.05, respectively), the potassium -adapted group and KCl post treated groups exhibited relatively stable blood pressure compared with the control. There were significant increases in the expression of PSGL -1 and I-CAM-1 protein in all the test groups but lower in the potassium adapted and post-treated animal groups when compared with hypertensive group. The potassium adapted group did not develop hypertension throughout the period. Conclusion: Raised arterial blood pressure is inducible by high salt diet. This is associated with an increased expressions of PSGL-1 and ICAM-1. Potassium adaptation inhibited the development of hypertension and down-regulate PSGL-1 expression significantly.