Effect of hypertension and physical training on the morphology of the kidney with special reference to the juxtaglomerular cells.

Changes in blood pressure levels, renal structure and degree of granulation of the juxtaglomerular cells in Dahl S rats fed a normal or high salt diet are reported. The effect of physical training on the hypertensive state of these animals has also been described. Animals fed a high salt diet demonstrated increased blood pressure levels and decreased juxtaglomerular indices when compared with rats fed a normal diet. The extent of renal damage in these animals was observed to be proportional to the amount of sodium in the diet. Physical training, however, brought about a 15-25% reduction in blood pressure levels and decreased renal damage in Dahl S rats fed a normal or high salt diet. The mean juxtaglomerular index was observed to be 30% higher in trained animals fed a normal diet compared with non-trained controls. It is concluded that physical training helps minimize pathological changes in the kidney and effects a reduction in blood pressure levels in hypertensive Dahl S rats.