Effects of high sodium chloride intake on big arterial wall

Uncontrolled salt intake may increase arterial blood pressure. In many patients, high blood pressure is associated with big arterial wall injuries. This study was performed with the aim of evaluating the probable changes of arterial wall in laboratory mice after a period of oral salt intake. In this experimental study, 20 male and 20 female laboratory mice weighing 30-35 grams with 2 months of age and Balb/c ethnicity were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. There were 10 male and 10 female mice in each group. The experimental group received normal saline as 18 gram NaCl solved in 1000 cc tap water for 12 weeks and the control group received tap water in the same period. All mice were anesthetized by chloroform and killed and the aorta and carotid arteries were excised and placed in 10% formalin solution for fixation. Sections were obtained from the paraffinized blocks and stained by Hematoxylin & Eosin. Stained sections were observed microscopically. Elective specimens were photographed and findings were statistically analyzed. Atheromas were observed in big arterie's intima in experimental mice but this phenomenon was not seen in control group. Cholesterol deposition and vacuolated macrophage infiltration were other abnormal changes in arterial wall of mice in experimental group that did not exist in control group (p<0.001). Abnormal changes in the experimental group which are mentioned above indicate atherosclerosis in these laboratory models. Therefore, probably high salt intake induces atherosclerosis.