Resistance to salt-induced hypertension in catechol-O-methyltransferase-gene-disrupted mice

Abstract

Our findings suggest that COMT deficiency in mice increases the availability of L-DOPA, leading to enhanced dopaminergic tone, which may be associated with resistance to salt-induced hypertension. The findings of the present study also underline the importance of COMT in the regulation of blood pressure, sodium excretion and renal dopaminergic tone.