EFFECT OF FEEDING WITH DIFFERENT SALT CONCENTRATIONS IN PRENATAL PERIOD ON THE VASCULAR RESPONSE TO EPINEPHRINE AND ACETYLCHOLINE

Abstract

Background: Determine the effect of prenatal exposure to different salt concentrations on the third month’s blood pressure and vascular response to epinephrine and acetylcholine. Methods: Eight groups of rat, six in each group, one male and five female were exposed to different salt concentrations, Isfahan tap water and distilled water during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period. After blood pressure measurement in infants, in one sub-group 1% body weight of blood was substituted by the same volume of NaCl 0.9% containing 1 µg/ml epinephrine and in the other group by 0.1 µg/ml acetylcholine. Results: Salt concentrations higher than 1% increased third month’s blood pressure and vascular response to epinephrine and decreased vascular response to acetylcholine while lower salt concentrations had no significant influence. Conclusion: Level of dietary salt during intrauterine development can permanently alter the mechanisms that regulate cardiovascular function, blood pressure and vascular response to epinephrine and acetylcholine.