After the recovery period, blood pressure measurements were obtained continuously for the duration of the experiment. Plotted mean arterial pressure (MAP) data represent mean measurements from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as described previously (Pavlov et al., 2013). 20 mg/kg/day of AICAR or 200 mg/kg/day metformin (Tocris, Minneapolis, MN) administration was performed with continuous infusion at a rate of 6.9 μL/min through the venous catheter in saline, which was also used as a vehicle. After 3 days recovery when animals were fed a normal 0.4% NaCl diet, rats were switched to a 4 or 8% NaCl diet for 3 weeks (Dyets, Bethlehem, PA). Urine samples were collected during infusion experiments and Na+, K+, protein, and creatinine levels were analyzed as previously described (Pavlov et al., 2016). Blood was collected during the experiment with bleeds from the arterial catheters on conscious rats while resting, and plasma glucose level was then measured with a Contour strip glucometer (Bayer, Mishawaka, IN). At the end of the protocols, the kidneys of rats were perfused (6 ml/min) through the distal aorta with saline to clear them from blood, and then the renal tissues were collected for further analyses (Pavlov et al., 2015a).