Effect of Potassium Depletion on Two-Kidney, One-Clip Renovascular Hypertension in the Rat

Abstract

Effect of potassium depletion on two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in the rat. There is considerable controversy about the hemodynamic effect of potassium in hypertension. To determine if K depletion could alter the control of blood pressure, studies were performed in rats with 2-kidney, 1-clip renovascular hypertension (RVH) after 3 to 6 wks of severe and moderate K depletion. After application of a 0.23mm clip to the left renal artery, rats were placed on a K-replete (KR) (240 mEq/kg), a moderately K-depleted (KDM) (59 mEq/kg), or a severely K-depleted (KDS) (5 mEq/kg) diet. After 3 wks, mean arterial pressure (MAP) reached 154 ± 3 in KR but only 121 ± 2 in KDM (P -1 · kg -1 (P To determine if K depletion could reverse established hypertension, rats with RVH were continued on the KR diet or changed to the K-depleted diet. After 3 wks, systolic pressure was 161 ± 6 in KR but only 119 ± 4 in KDM, and 120 ± 5mm Hg in KDS (both K