Production of Hypertension in the Rat by Substituting Hypertonic Sodium Chloride Solutions for Drinking Water.

Summary and Conclusions (1) In 3 experiments, systolic blood pressure measurements were made on 27 control rats and on 31 animals watered with hypertonic sodium chloride solutions for a period of 6 weeks. (2)The animals watered with hypertonic saline solutions developed an arterial hypertension after a latent period of one to 4 weeks. At autopsy this was found! to be associated with an hypertrophy of the heart and kidneys relative to body weight. (3)Some possible mechanisms for the development of this hypertension are discussed. (4)The substitution of hypertonic sodium chloride solutions for the drinking water affords a simple, inexpensive, and dependable method for the production of arterial hypertension in the rat.