Millet-enriched diets attenuate high salt-induced hypertension and myocardial damage in male rats

High salt diet is one of the most common causes for hypertension and myocardial damage. In this study, we evaluated the effects of high salt on hypertension and myocardial damage induced by millet enriched diets using male rats. 11 groups of Rats (12 per group), including high salt group (8% NaCl), 9 groups of high salt plus diverse brands of millet and the control group were treated for eight weeks. The blood pressure was measured weekly using the tail cuff method. The level of myocardium nitric oxide (NO) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1) expression were also examined. The level of blood pressure and the expression of AT1 significantly increased, and the level of NO decreased in myocardium in high salt-treated group as compared to the control group. Millet treatments significantly attenuated the increase of blood pressure and oxidative damage; and regulated JAK-STAT signal pathway induced by high salt. The results suggest that millet-enriched diet has significant effects on the reduction of blood pressure and myocardial injury induced by high salt in male rats.