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International Journal of Pharmacology

Year: 2006 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 485-491
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Authors

O.S. Adeniyi

A.A. Fasanmade

Keywords

Research Article

Effect of Dietary Zinc Sulphate Supplementation on Salt Induced Hypertension in Rats

O.S. Adeniyi and A.A. Fasanmade
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary zinc supplementation on salt induced hypertension in rats. This study was carried out due to the paucity of information on the clear role of zinc in treatment of hypertension. Plasma electrolytes, hematological parameters and changes in their body weight were assessed. Adult male Wistar rats were used. They were divided into four groups: control, zinc-fed, salt-loaded and salt-loaded-zinc-fed. The control rats were given the standard rat chow, the zinc-fed rats were given the standard rat chow plus zinc sulphate (50 mg/kg/day), the salt-loaded rats were given a diet containing 8% NaCl and the salt-loaded-zinc-fed rats were given a diet containing 8%NaCl plus 50 mg/kg/day zinc sulphate supplementation. Rat feed and tap water were given ad libitum for 10 weeks. Blood pressure measurement was done in anaesthetised animals through a direct invasive method using a 2 Channel Recorder Polygraph. Salt loading significantly increased the mean arterial pressure, but zinc sulphate supplementation prevented hypertension in salt-loaded rats. Salt loading also led to increase in hematocrit, number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration and the mean corpuscular volume. Zinc supplementation reduced the values of these hemetological parameters. There was also a significant decrease in plasma potassium level and no significant changes in plasma sodium and zinc in salt-loaded rats. Zinc sulphate supplementation prevented the decrease in plasma potassium in salt-loaded rats. Furthermore, high diet led to a low percentage weight gain compared with rats given a normal rat diet, but zinc supplementation reduced the extent of this weight loss during salt loading. These results suggest that zinc has antihypertensive effects associated with maintaining the plasma potassium, number of red blood cell and body weight.
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