Ultrastructural study of lysosomes in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats under chronic salt ingestion.

The presence of lysosomes and lysosomal-like bodies in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) under the influence of 1% NaCl was studied. In SHRs, 2 weeks and older, there was an observable increase of lysosomes and lysosomal-like bodies in the myocardium when compared to the myocardium of age-matched controls. It is postulated that degradation is initiated by primary lysosomes and that mitochondria seem to be a prime target. The degradation process is also believed to be a relevant factor in cardiac hypertrophy of SHRs and that a high NaCl intake coupled with a sustained high blood pressure enhanced this process.