628 EFFECTS OF ALDOSTERONE BLOCKADE ON BODY WEIGHT AND ADIPOSE TISSUE 11BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE 1 IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEUOSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Purpose: High salt intake induces body weight loss in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). We examined the effects of eplerenone on body weight and adipose tissue 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expression in SHRSP. Methods: Male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHRSP were fed a high sodium diet or normal sodium diet for 8 weeks, beginning at 5 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma corticosterone concentration (p-B) and plasma leptin levels were measured. The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), GR, and 11β-HSD1 in visceral adipose tissues were studied by real time PCR. Results: High sodium intake blunted body weight gain in SHRSP but not WKY rats. Treatment with eplerenone improved body weight in SHRSP. High sodium diet significantly increased plasma leptin levels and decreased 11β-HSD1 and GR mRNA in adipose tissues of SHRSP (p<0.05). Control rats did not show any changes in these parameters by high salt intake. Treatment with eplerenone significantly decreased plasma leptin levels and increased 11β-HSD1 and GR mRNA in adipose tissues of SHRSP (p<0.05). Conclusions: Eplerenone may influence leptin signals and adipose tissue glucocorticoid activity and improve body weight loss induced by high salt diet in SHRSP.