Changes in saline and water intakes in bromocriptine-treated spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

Abstract

The effects of a 13-day intraperitoneal infusion of bromocriptine (BRC) or vehicle delivered by osmotic minipumps on saline and water intakes were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The saline intake in the BRC-treated SHR during the 13-day period of study was significantly lower than that in the vehicle-treated SHR. The saline intake in the BRC-treated WKY was not different from that in the vehicle-treated WKY. The water intakes in both the BRC-treated SHR and the BRC-treated WKY were significantly greater when compared to their respective vehicle-treated controls. This paper discusses the possible mechanisms that may be involved in the changes in saline and water intakes in response to chronic intraperitoneal infusion of BRC in the SHR and the WKY.