Lowering of Blood Pressure, Plasma Renin Substrate, Cholesterol and Triglyceride by Portacaval Anastomosis in Rats Fed on a 60% Sucrose/5% Lard Diet

1. Portacaval anastomosis was carried out in ten rats fed on a 60% sucrose/5% lard diet, which induced moderate hypertriglyceridaemia, mild hypercholesterolaemia and normotension.

2. Plasma triglyceride was decreased to 45% of concentrations observed in ten pair-weighed control rats.

3. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were reduced to 58%, renin substrate to 70% and aortic blood pressure to 80% of control values by portacaval shunt surgery.

4. Individual blood pressures were directly related to plasma renin substrate concentrations.