cium group had significantly higher mean arterial pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity but not heart rate. Moreover, the arterial baroreceptor reflex was impaired in the latter group, as evidenced by an increase in MAP 50 and decrease in G max of the two relations and an attenuation of reflex inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity by aortic depressor nerve stimulation. There were no significant differences in mean arterial pressure, renal sympathetic nerve activity, or the

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... ll and central properties of the arterial baroreceptor reflex among the control, high salt/high calcium, and normal salt/high calcium groups. In conclusion, dietary calcium supplementation prevented accelerated hypertension with sympathetic overactivity as well as impairment of the arterial baroreceptor reflex in salt-loaded young SHR. It is suggested that normalization of both tonic and reflex control of sympathetic discharges underlies the antihypertensive effect of a high calcium diet on salt-induced hypertension. (Hypertension. 1994;24:83-90.)