Effect of oral sucrose on blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

In the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) increased carbohydrate intake without alteration in sodium intake is associated with elevated blood pressure. One week of feeding sucrose-supplemented chow increased blood pressure an average of 14mm Hg (9%) in three separate groups of SHR, but did not affect blood pressure in normotensive rats of the same strain (Wistar-Kyoto-WKY). Fat supplementation (isocaloric to sucrose) was without effect on blood pressure in SHR. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that diet-induced increases in sympathetic activity may elevate blood pressure in susceptible animals.