Sodium Alginate Oligosaccharides Attenuate Hypertension and Associated Kidney Damage in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats Fed a High-Salt Diet

Objectives: In this article, the antihypertensive effects of sodium alginate oligosaccharides, enzymatic products of high molecular natural alginate from sea weeds, in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats were investigated. Material and Methods: Dahl S rats fed a high-salt (4% NaCl) diet were treated with sodium alginate oligosaccharides (4% or 8% w/w) for 7 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the tail-cuff method, and hypertensive cardiovascular benefits and kidney damage were assessed. Glomerular function and morphological sclerosis were determined. Results: SBP increased in an age-dependent manner in the untreated Dahl S rats. Sodium alginate oligosaccharide treatment attenuated the increase in SBP in a dose-dependent manner. The heart and aortic walls weighed less in the rats treated with sodium alginate oligosaccharides than in the untreated rats. The SBP reduction was associated with a decrease in urinary protein excretion and an increase in the creatinine clearance rate. Sodium algina...