EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC CONSUMPTION OF SALT (NACL) ON WEIGHT OF SOME VITAL ORGANS

Consumption of dietary sodium chloride (NaCl) is essential for maintaining physiological processes such as fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle function. However, increased salt intake has been linked to numerous health conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, kidney dysfunction, and metabolic disorders. Studies have shown that acute and chronic exposure to high sodium levels may contribute to organ damage by increasing oxidative stress, promoting inflammation, and altering normal homeostatic mechanisms. These adverse effects are particularly evident in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver, which play critical roles in maintaining overall body function. This study investigates the effects of acute and chronic increased consumption of NaCl on the weights of some of these vital organs, specifically the heart, kidneys, and liver, using experimental rat model. Twenty-four (24) albino rats used for the experiment were divided into four groups (n=6). Group-A served as first control group, and rats in this group were fed with normal rat chows and water for one week (seven days). Group-B served as an experimental group, and rats in this group were given high dose of NaCl for a short period of one week (seven days) in addition to normal rat chows and water (acute administration). Group-C served as second control group, and rats in this group were given normal rat chows and water for four weeks (28 days). Group-D served an experimental group, and rats in this group were given low dose of NaCl for a long period of four weeks (28 days) in addition to normal rat chows and water (chronic administration). The experiment was designed to stimulate real-life scenarios of both short-term high consumption of salt and long-term moderate consumption of salt, which are common dietary patterns in human populations. At the end of one week, rats in Group A and Group B were sacrificed and their organs were carefully excised, weighed and compared for difference in weight of organs between rats in Group A and those Group B. Meanwhile, rats Groups C and D remained in the experiment until after 28 days. The rats in these groups were thereafter sacrificed, and their organs carefully excised, weighed, and also compared for difference in organ weight. Results showed increase in body weight from what it was before the experiment. There was also increase in the weight of the heart for both the acute and chronic exposure groups which was however not statistically significant. Similarly, there was no significant weight increase of liver in both acute and chronic exposed groups were compared with their control groups. But marked difference was observed in the case of kidney weight. Whereas, there was no significant difference in the weight of liver in the group acutely exposed to NaCl when compared with control, the case was different in the group exposed to chronic consumption of NaCl where there was significant increase in the weight of the kidney when compared with control. This could be attributed to hyrdonephosis and organ damage following high blood pressure caused by increased salt consumption. It can be concluded that acute and chronic consumption of salt (NaCl) may not have any significant impact on the weight of the heart and the liver at moderately increased dose. However, chronic consumption salt (NaCl) increases the weight of the kidney.