Internal sodium balance in DOCA-salt rats: a body composition study

The idea that Na+ retention inevitably leads to water retention is compelling; however, were Na+ accumulation in part osmotically inactive, regulatory alternatives would be available. We speculated that in DOCA-salt rats Na+ accumulation is excessive relative to water. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four subgroups. Groups 1 and 2 ( controls) received tap water or 1% saline ( salt) for 5 wk. Groups 3 and 4 received subcutaneous DOCA pellets and tap water or salt. Na+, K+, and water were measured in skin, bone, muscle, and total body by desiccation and consecutive dry ashing. DOCA-salt led to total body Na+ excess (0.255 +/- 0.022 vs. 0.170 +/- 0.010 mmol/g dry wt; P < 0.001), whereas water retention was only moderate (0.685 +/- 0.119 vs. 0.648 +/- 0.130 ml/g wet wt; P < 0.001). Muscle Na+ retention (0.220 +/- 0.029 vs. 0.145 +/- 0.021 mmol/g dry wt; P < 0.01) in DOCA-salt was compensated by muscle K+ loss, indicating osmotically neutral Na+/K+ exchange. Skin Na+ retention (0.267 +/- 0.049 vs. 0.152 +/- 0.014 mmol/ g dry wt; P < 0.001) in DOCA-salt rats was not balanced by K+ loss, indicating osmotically inactive skin Na+ storage. We conclude that DOCA-salt leads to tissue Na+ excess relative to water. The relative Na+ excess is achieved by two distinct mechanisms, namely, osmotically inactive Na+ storage and osmotically neutral Na+ retention balanced by K+ loss. This internal Na+ escape allows the maintenance of volume homeostasis despite increased total body Na+.