[Effect of low calcium diet on blood pressure and pressure natriuresis response in rats: role of the renin-angiotensin system].

Dietary Ca is an important modulator of arterial blood pressure in humans and rats. Since the kidney plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, the effect of a low Ca diet (0.01%Ca) on blood pressure and pressure natriuresis response was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, a possible role of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension and an altered pressure natriuresis response resulting from low dietary Ca intake was investigated. In the low Ca diet group, systolic blood pressure determined by the tail-cuff method was significantly higher than in the normal Ca diet group (1.1%Ca) 1 week after the diet (113.0 +/- 7.1 vs. 105.0 +/- 9.5 mmHg, p < 0.05). Furthermore, low dietary Ca treatment significantly inhibited the water and sodium excretory responses to acute elevation of renal perfusion pressure. Treatment with an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril (30 mg/kg/day), attenuated both the development of hypertension and the reduced pressure natriuresis response observed in Ca-deficient rats. Although plasma renin activity was not different between the low and normal Ca diet groups after the 2-week dietary regimen, the pressor response to angiotensin II injection was significantly greater in the low Ca diet group. These results indicate a possible involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of hypertension and the inhibitory effects of the pressure natriuresis response caused by low dietary Ca intake, via enhanced sensitivity to angiotensin II.