Genetic and dietary salt contributors to insulin resistance in Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2008 Apr 8:7:7. doi: 10.1186/1475-2840-7-7.

Abstract

Insulin resistance has been extensively investigated during the past decade because of its proposed role in initiating a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension. Insulin resistance is an inherited genetic trait that precedes hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats, and is not present in Dahl salt-resistant (R) rats. Owing to the co-existence of insulin resistance and salt sensitivity of blood pressure in Dahl S, but not R rats, Dahl S rats are used to elucidate the role of dietary salt as a potential link in exacerbating both phenotypes (insulin resistance and salt sensitivity). In light of available data, examining the impact of dietary salt on insulin resistance in Dahl S rats in terms of salt concentration and duration of exposure helps answer the following question: What percentage of dietary salt and for what duration of exposure would we expect an enhanced insulin resistance in Dahl S rats? This commentary gathers all available research done on insulin resistance in Dahl S rats in an attempt to unravel dietary salt contribution to insulin resistance in Dahl S rats.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hyperinsulinism / genetics*
  • Hyperinsulinism / physiopathology*
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Dahl / genetics*
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary