Sodium balance and the natriuresis of hypertonic saline infusion in dogs

Recently, a paradoxical effect of dietary salt intake on the natriuresis following hypertonic saline infusion was observed in rats. In these experiments the effects of alterations in dietary sodium on the natriuretic response to a hypertonic saline load was studied in dogs. Dogs maintained on a high-sodium diet did not have a significantly different natriuresis than those on a low-sodium diet. When differences in sodium balance were amplified by the use of deoxycorticosterone, furosemide, and manipulation of dietary sodium, dogs in positive sodium balance showed a significantly enhanced initial excretion of sodium followed by a reversal of the pattern. Consequently, the cumulative sodium excretion was not different between low- and high-sodium groups. Since the cumulative natriuretic response to isotonic saline infusion was larger in dogs in positive sodium balance compared to those in negative sodium balance, the failure to detect a difference following hypertonic saline infusion was probably because of the increased plasma sodium concentration.