Renal sympathetic nerve activity is increased in monosodium glutamate induced hyperadipose rats

The literature suggests that both obesity and hypertension are associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity. In the present study we evaluated the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in hyperadipose rats induced by neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Neonatal Wistar male rats were injected with MSG (4 mg/g body weight ID) or equimolar saline (control) for 5 days. At 90th day, all rats were anesthetized (urethane 1.4 g/kg) and prepared for MAP, HR and renal sympathetic nerve activity recordings. The anesthetized MSG rats presented baseline hypertension and increased baseline RSNA compared with control. Our results suggest the involvement of the renal sympathetic nervous system in the physiopathology of the MSG obesity.

► Anesthetized MSG obese rats are hypertensive compared with control rats. ► MSG obese rat present baseline overactivity in the renal sympathetic nerve. ► Hypertension in MSG obese rat is due in part to increased renal sympathetic activity.