Alterations of circadian expressions of clock genes in Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a high-salt diet.

In mammals, behavioral and physiologic processes display 24-hour rhythms that are regulated by a circadian system consisting of central and peripheral oscillators. Because various cardiovascular functions show diurnal variations and abnormal patterns of circadian blood pressure variation carry a high risk of cardiovascular complications, we investigated whether the expression of clock genes is altered in an animal model of hypertension. In Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet for 6 weeks (DS-H), radiotelemetry monitoring showed increased amplitude of circadian variations in blood pressure.