Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of the interaction between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and salt on renal structure and function.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into sham group, PTH group, low-salt group (0.6%), high-salt group (8%), PTH + low-salt group, and PTH + high-salt group. Rats were given recombinant PTH (1-34) [2 pmol/(kg?h) ] via capsule osmotic pump for 2 weeks according to the grouping situation. In addition, rats in each group were given different concentrations of saline by gavage for 2 weeks, except for the PTH group and the sham group, which were given sterile injection water only by gavage. The body weight and blood pressure of each group of rats were measured before and after intervention. The 24-hour urine and serum samples were collected to detect indicators such as urine total protein, urine potassium, urine sodium, urine creatinine, blood potassium, blood sodium, and serum creatinine, and to calculate the glomerular filtration rate. The concentrations of serum PTH, angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), and aldosterone were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The renal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and CD68 in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The systolic pressure and MAP in the PTH + high-salt group were higher than those in the sham group (P < 0.05), and the systolic pressure after intervention was higher than that before intervention in the PTH + high-salt group (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the diastolic pressure among the groups (P > 0.05). The serum Na+/K+ ratio was not different among the groups (P > 0.05). The 24-hour UK+/Cre and UTP / Cre ratios were not different among the groups (P > 0.05). The levels of PTH, Ang Ⅱ and ALD in the high-salt group and the PTH + high-salt group were higher than those in the sham group (P <0.05), and those in the high-salt group, PTH group, PTH + low-salt group, and PTH + high-salt group were higher compared to those in the low-salt group (P <0.05).The 24-hour UNa+/Cre and UNa+/K+ ratios were higher and the glomerular filtration rate was lower in the PTH + high-salt group than in the sham group (P < 0.05). The 24-hour UNa+/Cre and UNa+/K+ ratios were higher and the glomerular filtration rate was lower in the PTH + high-salt group than in the low-salt group (P < 0.05). Increased glomerular volume, renal tubule dilation, protein casts and mild inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium were observed in rats of the high-salt group, the PTH group, the PTH + low-salt group, and the PTH + high-salt group. For rats in the PTH + high-salt group, there were increases in the glomerular volume, glomerular mesangial cell and stromal hyperplasia, renal tubule dilation, protein casts and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The CD68-, TNF-α-, and IL-1β-positive areas were different among the groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion High salt and PTH promote renal inflammation by activating the renin-angiotensin system, and they synergistically aggravate the inflammatory injury of renal tissues and lead to renal dysfunction.