Water Intake and NaCl Appetite in Sodium Depletion

Rats were sodium depleted by intraperitoneal dialysis (IPD) to determine: (a) whether there is a thirst mechanism not dependent on increases in effective osmotic pressure and (b) whether a sodium chloride appetite could be induced by this rapid means of sodium depletion. IPD resulted in increased intakes of water and 3% NaCl solution when these were tested independently (single-stimulus method) A second IPD performed after 2 days of recovery produced even greater increases in intake. When water and 3% NaCl were available simultaneously after both dialyses, the increased salt intake was shown to be the predominant effect. The increased water intake occurred in spite of cellular overhydration and decreased serum Na level

Animal science · Appetite · Biology · Sodium · Thirst · Water intake · Chemistry · Electrolyte and hormonal disorders · Endocrinology · Internal Medicine · Ion Transport and Channel Regulation · Medicine · Renal function and acid-base balance