Effects of High-Salt Diet on the Activity of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Rat Aorta

The dynamics of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the aorta and blood plasma and generation of ROS in the aorta were studied in rats subjected to two high-salt diets (0.4% and 1% NaCl solutions). During high-salt diets, activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the aorta progressively decreased to the minimal during week 1 and remained lower than control level for 1 month. Both diets were followed by a decrease in ROS concentration in the aorta, and this effect was more pronounced when the dosage of salt increased. ROS level in the aorta varied similarly during both diets, but the amplitude of the response was signifi cantly higher in rats receiving 0.4% salt solution. ROS amount in the aorta during high-salt diets differed from the control level and depended from salt dosage and the duration of administration.