Table 3.

Effects of 0.3% NaCl on control plasma electrolytes, body weight, Cl⁻, Na⁺, and caloric and H₂O consumption

Parameter	Control	Control + NaCl
Plasma Ca2+, mg/dl	11.5 ± 1.0	11.2 ± 0.5
Plasma Na+, mmol/l	142 ± 1	142 ± 1
Basal body weight, g	223 ± 7	232 ± 4
Final body weight, g	258 ± 4#	254 ± 5#
Metabolizable calories consumed, kcal/day	46.8 ± 1.4	44.3 ± 1.7
Na+ consumed, mg/day	60.2 ± 1.9	113.8 ± 11.1*
Cl− consumed, mg/day	100.8 ± 3.1	184.6 ± 17.6*
H2O consumed, ml/day	37 ± 1	48 ± 9

Plasma Ca²⁺ and plasma Na⁺ did not differ significantly between the groups. Body weight increased identically in both groups during the study. Caloric consumption did not differ between groups. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ consumption were higher in the control + NaCl vs. the control group. H₂O consumption did not differ significantly between the groups. Data are presented as means ± SE.

^#P < 0.05 vs. basal;

^*P < 0.05 vs. control.