Reduced renal responses to an acute saline load in obese Zucker rats

The purpose of this study was to determine if the reflex response to a saline load is altered in the obese Zucker rat. The obese Zucker rat is a genetic model of obesity and insulin-resistant diabetes that has been reported to have high blood pressure. We examined the reflex renal responses to volume expansion in both anesthetized obese and lean Zucker rats. Initial blood pressure was significantly elevated in the obese Zucker rats compared with the lean controls. Urine flow and sodium excretion from innervated and denervated kidneys were measured before and after volume expansion with normal saline. Volume expansion resulted in significantly less urine flow and sodium excretion in the obese than the lean Zucker rats. This response was evident in both the intact and denervated kidneys. Rats were then infused with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to determine if natriuretic and diuretic responses were altered in these rats. The diuretic action of ANP was not significantly reduced in the obese Zucker rat. However, the natriuretic action of ANP was significantly attenuated in the obese rats. These results indicate that the reflex response to an acute saline load is attenuated in the obese Zucker rat and that this decreased response may be due to a reduction in the direct action of ANP on the kidney.