Fructose ‐induced salt‐sensitive blood pressure differentially affects sympathetically mediated aortic stiffness in male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats

In male rats, fructose-high salt diet results in elevated blood pressure and increased aortic stiffness. Despite earlier evidence of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), male rats on the fructose high salt diet display a deficit in myocardial function measured as reduced global longitudinal strain. Acute sympathoinhibition, but not RAS antagonism improves blood pressure and aortic stiffness in males. Female rats fed the same fructose-high salt diet maintained normal blood pressure, aortic compliance, and global longitudinal strain comparable to those measured in their  control glucose-fed counterparts. AbstractHypertension is the leading risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Aortic stiffness and sympathoexcitation are robust predictors of MACE. Combined high fructose and sodium intake increases arterial pressure, aortic stiffness, renin, and sympathetic nerve activity in male rats. We hypothesized that activation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and/or the sympathetic system mediates aortic stiffness in rats with fructose-induced salt-sensitive blood pressure. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats ingested 20% fructose or 20% glucose in drinking water with 0.4% NaCl chow for 1  week. Then, fructose-fed rats were switched to 4% NaCl chow (Fru + HS); glucose-fed rats remained on 0.4% NaCl chow (Glu + NS, controls for caloric intake). After 2 weeks, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and aortic pulsed wave velocity (PWV) were evalu...
Source: Physiological Reports - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research