Role of electrolytes and digitalis-like activity in hypertension: effects of digitoxin, sodium, potassium and magnesium on blood pressure
Karppanen, H.
Annals of Clinical Research 16(Suppl): 62-66
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4762 PMID: 6535442 Document Number: 226981
The hypothesis that an increased digitalis-like activity, induced by excessive intake of Na, is involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension was examined. In normotensive rats prolonged administration of digitoxin alone induced only a mild and transient rise of blood pressure. Increased intake of sodium chloride did not affect the blood pressure of those rats. However, simultaneous administration of digitoxin and NaCl produced a sustained increase of blood pressure. In spontaneously hypertensive rats the effect of the addition (6% of the weight of the pellets) of NaCl or a mixture containing 50% NaCl and 50% KCl or a mixture containing 65% NaCl, 25% KCl, and 10% MgSO4.7H2O, was examined. A marked fall of blood pressure occurred during the use of the mixtures containing K and Mg.