Effect of candesartan on cardiac and renal fibrosis induced by high salt intake in albino rats

ABSTRACT

High salt diet is independent determinant of left ventricular hypertrophy in addition to cardiac and renal fibrosis. Angiotensin II has possible role in mediating these deleterious effects. This work was designed to evaluate the possible effect of AT1 receptors blocker, candesartan on pathological change in heart and kidney induced by high salt diet [8%]. Materials and methods: High salt diet [8%] was administered to 30 male albino rats for eight weeks to induce left ventricular and renal hypertrophy and fibrosis. Candesartan in therapeutic equipotent dose in human [0.02mg/kg/day orally] was started one week before [prophylactic group] or five weeks after [curative group] starting high salt intake. By the end of eighth week from starting high salt diet intake, blood pressure was recorded rats were sacrified heart and kidney were removed, weighed and perpared for pathological examination. Results and Candesartan caused significant improvement in all parameters studied although the improvement was more evident in prophylactic than curative group. High salt intake [8%] induced hypertension, cardiac and renal hypertrophy with fibrosis in albino rats. These histological changes can be avoided or cured to a great extent by oral administration of AT1 blocker, candesartan. Angiotensin II may play a role in these deleterious changes induced by high salt diet