Garlic causes reduction in blood pressure (BP), however the role of
Na/H exchanger (NHE) which mediates
hypertension and related tissue-damage is poorly understood. In this study the effect of an established dose of raw garlic extract was investigated on the expression of NHE-1 and -3 and
sodium pump activity in a 2K-1C model of
hypertension in rats. 2K-1C animals showed high BP, increased serum concentration of
PGE2 and TxB2,
hypertrophy of the unclipped kidneys, but not in the clipped kidneys In addition, NHE-1 and NHE-3
isoforms were increased in both the 2K-1C kidneys, whereas
alpha-actin was increased in the clipped but not in unclipped kidneys.
Sodium pump activity was decreased in the clipped kidneys, but remained unchanged in the unclipped kidneys. Garlic treatment reduced the induction of NHE-1 only in the unclipped 2K-1C kidneys, whereas garlic treatment increased the
sodium pump activity in both the 2K-1C kidneys. These findings demonstrate that the
antihypertensive action of garlic is associated with a reversal of NHE-1 induction in the unclipped kidneys. Induction of NHE
isoforms together with a reduced
sodium pump activity might cause
necrosis in the 2K-1C clipped kidneys due to cellular retention of Na+. On the other hand, activation of
sodium pump by garlic extract in the kidneys should reduce intracellular Na+ concentration and normalize BP. These findings signify the use of garlic in the treatment of
hypertension.