Protective effect of oral histidine on hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats induced by high-salt diet

Aims: Salt-sensitive hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that insufficient arginine in the kidney caused by metabolic imbalance is an important factor in salt-sensitive hypertension. Whether the high nitrogen content of histidine can affect the balance of nitrogen metabolism in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. This article aimed to study the effects of oral histidine on salt-sensitive hypertension, kidney damage and metabolic patterns of high-salt diet in SS rats. Main methods: Adult rats were divided into four groups, and blood pressure was measured using a non-invasive tail-cuff system. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyzed metabolites in serum and kidney tissues. Key findings: High-salt diet significantly increased the blood pressure of rats and aggravated kidney damage. Of note, histidine can attenuate salt-sensitive hypertension and kidney damage by improving metabolic pattern, reducing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and increasing nitric oxide levels in SS rats. Significance: These results suggest that histidine could be a potential adjuvant to prevent and control salt-sensitive hypertension.