Ovariectomy causes overexpression of renal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and sodium-sensitive hypertension in adult Wistar rats.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effect of ovariectomy(oVx) on renal and systemic hemodynamic, electrolyte excretion and total and dephosphorylated Na(+),K(+)-ATPase α1 subunit (t-d-NKA) in normotensive Wistar rats under a normal sodium (NS, 0.24%) or high sodium (HS, 1%) intake versus intact female (IF). On NS intake, t-d-NKA was higher in oVx rats and overexpressed in the thick ascending limbs (P < .01 vs. IF) and renal plasma flow was increased. On HS intake, oVx rats maintained a greater dephosphorylated NKA, excreted less sodium, and developed arterial hypertension (134 ± 4 vs. IF 112 ± 5 mm Hg, P < .05). Sodium load caused salt-sensitive hypertension in oVx Wistar rats.