Myocardial adaptations to dietary sucrose in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of dietary sucrose upon specific myocardial and hemodynamic parameters were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Following a 6 wk program, SHR consuming a supplement of 10% sucrose in the drinking water exhibited increased heart weight, heart mass, left ventricular free wall thickness and increased resting heart rate when compared to the hypertensive control group. Total caloric intake was similar between groups. Cardiac alpha 1-adrenoceptor density and affinity were also altered following sucrose feeding. These data suggest that modest intake of dietary sucrose is associated with cardiovascular adaptations that may further burden a heart already compromised by the presence of systemic hypertension.