Reduction of salt sensitivity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats administered an AT1 receptor antagonist during suckling.

Background: In this study, antihypertensive therapy was started during suckling and the effect on blood pressure (BP) and salt sensitivity of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) was determined.

Methods: The SHRSP were treated with an AT1 receptor antagonist (losartan: 100 mg/L in drinking water) from 2 to 4 weeks of age. After stopping treatment at 4 weeks of age, the control group and the losartan group were fed a commercial diet with tap water ad libitum until 10 weeks of age.