Studies on the Mechanism of Hypotensive Action of Chlorothiazide

MANY observations point to a relation existing between arterial hypertension and body sodium metabolism. Some clinical forms of hypertension (such as Cushing's syndrome and toxemia of pregnancy) are constantly accompanied by a marked sodium retention. Substitution of sodium chloride solution for drinking water leads to experimental hypertension in rats.1 In human subjects prolonged heavy salt intake also seems to increase the occurrence of hypertension.2 Chronic salt depletion in dogs prevents the development of experimental renal hypertension.3 A similar preventive effect of a diet containing a high ratio of potassium to sodium has been observed in rats.4 The hypotensive effect of . . .