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A novel radiolabeled vasopressin antagonist: [3H-Phe]-desGlyd(CH2)5D-Tyr(Et)VAVP, [3H]-SK&F 101926.

We report the vasopressin receptor-binding properties of [3H-Phe]-desGlyd(CH2)5D-Tyr(Et)VAVP, [3H]-SK&F 101926, the first radiolabeled vasopressin receptor antagonist. We chose to radiolabel SK&F 101926 because this vasopressin analog is a potent antagonist of vascular V1 and renal V2 vasopressin receptors in all species studied. [3H]-SK&F 101926 bound with a single high affinity to intact vascular smooth muscle cells (A-10; KD = 0.5 nM), and plasma membranes A-10 cells (KD = 0.4 nM) and rat liver (KD = 0.2 nM). In competition experiments with [3H]-SK&F 101926 and [3H]arginine vasopressin ([3H]AVP) using cell and liver membranes, the affinity rank orders of vasopressin analogs were the same and were typical for the V1 receptor subtype. In competition binding experiments with [3H]-SK&F 101926 using cell and liver membranes, guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate did not significantly alter the affinity of the V1 antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, but the affinity of AVP was decreased. These data indicate that the V1 receptor can exist in at least two affinity states that are modulated by guanine nucleotides. [3H]-SK&F 101926 also bound specifically and with high affinity to V2 receptors of MDCK cells. We conclude that [3H]-SK&F 101926 binds with high affinity to V1 and V2 vasopressin receptors and is a powerful new tool for the identification of vasopressin receptors and the study of molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of vasopressin with its receptors.

Animals↗

Hemodynamic response to vasopressin in dehydrated human subjects.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known potent vasoconstrictor effects of vasopressin, the role of this hormone in the maintenance of blood pressure is incompletely understood. In studies performed in animals with increased plasma vasopressin concentrations, several complex cardiovascular effects have been noted, including decreases in heart rate and cardiac output, which may account for a lack of effect on arterial pressure despite the vasopressin-induced increase in total peripheral resistance. Only a few studies have been done to assess the cardiovascular effects of vasopressin in human subjects, and most of these have been limited to measurement of heart rate and arterial pressure only. The present study was designed to identify more fully the cardiovascular effects of vasopressin when plasma vasopressin concentrations are increased by osmotic stimulation without the superimposition of major nonosmotic stimuli associated with severe volume depletion. METHOD: Studies were performed on 11 normal human subjects in supine and erect posture before and after 24 hours of fluid deprivation, and following administration of a selective V1 receptor antagonist, [d(CH2)5Tyr(ME)]AVP, after dehydration. Cardiovascular parameters were measured noninvasively by thoracic electrical bioimpedance cardiography and blood samples for measurements of plasma concentrations of vasopressin and other hormones affected by dehydration and differences in posture were collected for subsequent analysis. RESULTS: After 24 hours of fluid restriction, plasma osmolality was increased from 287 +/- 0.9 to 294 +/- 0.7 mosm/kg H20 and plasma vasopressin concentrations (Pavp) were increased in both supine and erect posture. Mean arterial (MAP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were reduced by fluid restriction but were higher in erect than in supine posture both before and after fluid restriction. Heart rate (HR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systemic vascular resistance (SVRI) were also higher in erect than in supine posture, while cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), end-diastolic index (EDI), and an index of total thoracic fluid content (TFC) were all reduced in erect posture, both before and after dehydration. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma norepinephrine concentrations (Pne) were increased in erect posture, both before and after dehydration, but there was no effect of erect posture on plasma vasopressin concentrations (Pavp), either before or after dehydration. Administration of the V1 receptor antagonist after dehydration had no effect on hemodynamic parameters other than small reductions in DBP and cardiac preload. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from these studies that small increases in Pavp associated with moderate dehydration do not play a role in the maintenance of arterial pressure in normal human subjects in either supine or erect posture.

Adult↗

Platelet vasopressin levels in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Despite the importance of disturbances in plasma volume in nephrotic patients, the only clinically accepted measurement of this value in common use is plasma renin activity. We assessed the usefulness of plasma vasopressin levels as an index of plasma volume in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. However, since 80% to 90% of arginine vasopressin circulates bound to platelets, we measured vasopressin levels in platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma. The nephrotic patients (n = 19) had significantly higher vasopressin levels in platelet-poor and platelet-rich plasma compared with controls (3.2 +/- 0.6 vs 1.0 +/- 0.3 pg/mL, and 10.4 +/- 3.6 vs 3.3 +/- 0.6 pg/mL. respectively). The percent binding of vasopressin to platelets was reduced in nephrotic patients compared with controls (50.2% +/- 6% vs 70.4% +/- 2.9%). The values for platelet-poor vasopressin, but not platelet-rich vasopressin, correlated significantly with the plasma renin activity (r = .83). We conclude that in nephrotic patients, platelet-poor vasopressin levels correlate with plasma renin activity and may provide a useful measure of minute-to-minute vasopressin release in response to changes in plasma volume.

Adolescent↗

Nitroglycerin improves the hemodynamic response to vasopressin in portal hypertension.

This study was designed to investigate whether the addition of nitroglycerin to vasopressin infusion could avoid the deleterious systemic effects of vasopressin while maintaining or enhancing the therapeutic benefits of portal pressure reduction. The effect of nitroglycerin on splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics was studied in cirrhotic patients and portal hypertensive dogs receiving i.v. vasopressin. During i.v vasopressin infusion (0.4 units per min), the cardiac output decreased in patients by 14% from 7.6 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- S.E.) to 6.5 +/- 0.7 liters per min, p less than 0.01, the mean arterial pressure increased 21% from 87 +/- 2 to 105 +/- 4, p less than 0.01, and the heart rate decreased 11% from 79 +/- 3 to 71 +/- 3, p less than 0.01. The administration of sublingual nitroglycerin (0.4 mg) returned all the systemic hemodynamic parameters to baseline values. In dogs, vasopressin infusion significantly reduced portal pressure and flow while increasing portal venous resistance. Nitroglycerin when added to the vasopressin infusion reduced portal venous resistance and further decreased portal pressure in dogs. In patients, vasopressin reduced the hepatic blood flow (44%), wedged hepatic venous pressure (11%), and the gradient between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures (23%). Nitroglycerin administration caused a further reduction of the wedged hepatic venous pressure (23.6 +/- 2.3 to 21.1 +/- 2.0, 11%, p less than 0.01). There was a small but not significant further decline (7%) in the hepatic venous pressure gradient. These results provide evidence that the addition of nitroglycerin to an i.v. infusion of vasopressin reversed the detrimental effects of vasopressin while preserving the beneficial effects.

Animals↗

Comparison of intravenous somatostatin and vasopressin infusions in treatment of acute variceal hemorrhage.

The present trial compared the effectiveness and complications of intravenous somatostatin and vasopressin in treatment of variceal bleeding. Sixty-one cirrhotic patients with endoscopically proven active variceal bleeding were included. Both drugs were given as continuous intravenous infusions for 48 hr. Thirty patients received somatostatin (250 micrograms per hr after a bolus of 50 micrograms) and 31 vasopressin (0.4 units per min). Initial control of bleeding was achieved in 26 (87%) patients receiving somatostatin and in 23 (74%) of those treated with vasopressin. However, 10 patients [not significant statistically] in the somatostatin group and 5 in the vasopressin group rebled during treatment, after a mean of 15 and 20 hr, respectively. Therefore, complete control of bleeding during the 48 hr of therapy was achieved in 16 (53%) patients treated with somatostatin and in 18 (58%) of those receiving vasopressin. Mortality during hospitalization was similar in both groups (somatostatin 47%, vasopressin 45%). Differences were observed in complications associated with each therapy. Vasopressin produced major complications in 8 patients (left ventricular failure in 4 and severe abdominal pain requiring drug withdrawal in 4), and minor complications in 14; somatostatin infusion produced minor complications in 3 patients (p less than 0.01). In addition, the serum sodium concentration was significantly reduced by vasopressin (from 134.3 +/- 1.6 to 128.3 +/- 1.4 mEq per liter, p less than 0.001) but not by somatostatin (134.6 +/- 1.1 vs. 133.2 +/- 1.1 mEq per liter). This study shows that somatostatin is as effective as vasopressin in controlling variceal hemorrhage, but has a much lower rate of complications.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗

Controlled long-term release of small peptide hormones using a new microporous polypropylene polymer: its application for vasopressin in the Brattleboro rat and potential perinatal use.

Based on drug release by microporous hollow fibers and the recent introduction of microporous polymers, a new technique was developed for controlled delivery of peptides. Small-diameter microporous polypropylene tubing, lumen-loaded with microgram quantities of vasopressin, and coated with collodion, releases vasopressin after in vitro immersion slowly (1-100 ng/d) and constantly for months. The mechanism of pseudo-zero-order delivery is based on high adsorption of vasopressin, keeping the void volume concentration of dissolved vasopressin constant, which is consequently a constant driving force of outward diffusion. The collodion coating prevents the entry of proteinaceous compounds which would result in rapid desorption of vasopressin. The present delivery module provides a lasting release for other peptides as well (lysine-vasopressin, oxytocin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and, to a lesser extent, Met-enkephalin). The microporous polymer-collodion device is biocompatible and, loaded with vasopressin, successfully alleviates the diabetes insipidus of Brattleboro rats deficient for vasopressin. Subcutaneous implantation normalized diuresis for a period of 60 d and constant urine vasopressin excretion is observed. When the commercially available osmotic minipump is too large for implantation, the small size of the present controlled-delivery system allows peptide treatment of young and immature laboratory rats, even if located in utero.

Animals↗

Vasopressin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein 27 and alphaB-crystallin via protein kinase C activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

In the present study, we examined the effect of vasopressin on the induction of the low-molecular-weight heat shock proteins heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and alphaB-crystallin in an aortic smooth muscle cell line, A10 cells. Vasopressin induced a time-dependent accumulation of HSP27 and alphaB-crystallin. The stimulatory effects of vasopressin were dose-dependent over the range 0.1 nmol/L to 0.1 micromol/L. The EC50 values for vasopressin were 2 (HSP27) and 4 nmol/L (alphaB-crystallin). Vasopressin induced increases in the levels of the mRNAs for HSP27 and alphaB-crystallin. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, induced an accumulation of HSP27 (EC50, 20 nmol/L) and alphaB-crystallin (EC50, 2 nmol/L). In contrast, 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a non-PKC-activating phorbol ester, had no such effect. Staurosporine and calphostin C, inhibitors of PKC, significantly reduced the vasopressin-induced accumulation of HSP27 and alphaB-crystallin as well as that induced by TPA. BAPTA/AM and TMB-8, inhibitors of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, significantly reduced the vasopressin-induced accumulation of HSP27 and alphaB-crystallin. These results strongly suggest that vasopressin stimulates the induction of HSP27 and alphaB-crystallin via PKC activation in vascular smooth muscle cells and that this effect of vasopressin is dependent on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. III. Localization of oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing neurons in the pig hypothalamus.

Synthetic oxytocin and [8-arginine]-vasopressin conjugated to bovine thyroglobulin were used to induce specific antibodies in rabbits. The specificity of the anti-oxytocin serum, and the suitability of the anti-[8-arginine]-vasopressin serum for the detection of [8-lysine]-vasopressin, was evaluated by immunofluorescent studies of the respective hormones bound to Sepharose 4B particles. Oxytocin and [8-lysine]-vasopressin were specifically localized in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei of the pig hypothalamus using the immunoperoxidase staining technique. After an examination of serial transverse and sagittal sections stained for either of the hormones we observed that: 1. In the rostral SON, oxytocin and vasopressin containing neurons were uniformly distributed; 2. In the caudal SON, most of the neurons contained oxytocin, but there were still a few 'vasopressin' neurons; 3. In the rostral PVN, the two hormones were evenly spread in neurons close to the third ventricle; 4. In the caudal PVN, the oxytocin and vasopressin containing neurons were differentially distributed, with 'oxytocin' neurons adjacent to the third ventricle, and 'vasopressin' neurons lateral to these and concentrated in the dorso-caudal PVN. In the cells of the PVN, there was evidence that the distribution of oxytocin and vasopressin is similar to the distribution of porcine neurophysin-II and porcine neurophysin-I respectively. This similarity is consistent with the one hormone--one neurophysin concept in the pig.

Animals↗

The distribution of vasopressin-, oxytocin-, and neurophysin-producing neurons in the guinea pig brain. I. The classical hypothalamo-neurophypophyseal system.

The location, cytology and projections of vasopressin-, oxytocin-, and neurophysin-producing neurons in the guinea pig were investigated using specific antisera against vasopressin, oxytocin or neurophysin in the unlabeled antibody enzyme immunoperoxidase method. Light microscopic examination of the neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei shows that hormone is transported not only in axons, but also in processes having the characteristics of dendrites. Neurons were found to contain only vasopressin or oxytocin; all neurons containing neurophysin appear to contain either vasopressin or oxytocin. In the neural lobe, vasopressin and oxytocin terminals are intermingled. In the median eminence, vasopressin and oxytocin fibers are intermingled in the internal zone. In a caudal portion of the median eminence, a number of vasopressin and neurophysin (but few oxytocin) axons enter the external zone from the internal zone, and surround portal capillaries. In the supraotic nucleus, vasopressin neurons outnumber oxytocin neurons with a ratio of at least 5:1. The paraventricular nucleus is separated into two distinct groups of neurons, a lateral group consisting of only vasopressin neurons, and a medial group consisting of only oxytocin neurons. In addition to axons passing to the neurohypophysis, a number of axons appear to interconnect the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei.

Animals↗

Indomethacin and arginine vasopressin interaction in the fetal kidney: a mechanism of oliguria.

OBJECTIVE: Indomethacin has been shown to cause fetal oliguria in humans and animals. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that indomethacin-induced fetal oliguria is mediated through the renal action of arginine vasopressin. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-seven late-gestation (129 +/- 4 days [mean +/- SE]) chronically catheterized fetal sheep were studied. After a 1-hour control period fetal responses to indomethacin, 0.05 mg/kg given intravenously, followed by a 4-hour maintenance infusion (n = 9), were compared with an identical indomethacin infusion plus an arginine vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist (d[CH2]1(5), D-Phe2, Ile4,Arg8,Ala9)-VP (n = 8) or vehicle alone (n = 10). Fetal arterial and venous pressures, heart rate, and urinary flow were measured continuously. RESULTS: Fetal urinary flow rate (p < 0.0001) and free water clearance (p = 0.004) fell in response to indomethacin alone, but the addition of the arginine vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist blocked indomethacin's oliguric and free water effect. Urinary osmolality and sodium increased in both indomethacin and indomethacin+arginine vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist groups compared with vehicle (p < 0.05). Fetal arterial pressure increased in response to indomethacin, and the addition of the arginine vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist potentiated this response (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that (1) fetal oliguria secondary to indomethacin is mediated through the stimulation of the renal arginine vasopressin V2-receptor and (2) prostaglandin synthesis inhibition may play a role in renal tubular sodium handling. In addition, the arginine vasopressin V2-receptor plays a role in ameliorating the hypertensive response to indomethacin. We speculate that indomethacin stimulates circulating arginine vasopressin levels and enhances peripheral arginine vasopressin effects in the fetus, resulting in oliguria and hypertension.

Animals↗

Antipsychotic drugs and plasma vasopressin in normals and acute schizophrenic patients.

Elevated plasma vasopressin concentrations have been documented in antipsychotic drug-treated patients as well as a drug-free acutely psychotic patients. To evaluate the effects of antipsychotic drugs on plasma vasopressin, we measured vasopressin response to a single dose of intramuscular chlorpromazine or intravenous haloperidol in normal individuals and to 2 weeks of oral antipsychotics in patients with acute schizophrenia. Neither intramuscular chlorpromazine nor intravenous haloperidol affected plasma vasopressin in normals, except in one subject who developed high plasma vasopressin concentrations coincident with marked hypotension following chlorpromazine. Prior to antipsychotics, two acute schizophrenia patients had elevated plasma vasopressin concentrations, which normalized during antipsychotic drug treatment. We conclude that antipsychotics do not directly stimulate vasopressin release, but may indirectly stimulate vasopressin release by well-described baroreceptor reflex mechanisms if hypotension occurs. Also, acute schizophrenia may be associated with increased plasma vasopressin levels in some patients.

Adult↗

Natural killer cell activity in vasopressin-deficient rats (Brattleboro strain).

Several lines of evidence suggest that the neuropeptide vasopressin is involved in the regulation of the immune system. We explored this possibility by comparing the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells in Brattleboro (DI) rats, which are homozygous for diabetes insipidus and lack vasopressin, and Long-Evans (LE) rats, the strain from which DI rats were derived. Additionally, we compared the effects of swim stress, morphine administration and vasopressin replacement on NK cell activity in these two strains. In DI rats, NK cell activity, determined by a standard 4-h chromium-release assay, was significantly higher than in LE rats. Both swim stress and morphine administration suppressed NK activity in DI and LE rats. There was no difference in the level of suppression between the two strains. Vasopressin replacement normalized water intake in DI rats, but had no significant effect on NK cell activity. DI rats exhibited lower plasma corticosterone levels, which were not elevated by vasopressin replacement. The results suggest that the lack of vasopressin in DI rats elevates baseline NK cell activity, probably via mechanisms that are secondary to the vasopressin deficiency (e.g. lower corticosterone levels). Neither vasopressin nor other hormones affected by vasopressin deficiency seem to be involved in the acute modulating effects of stress and morphine on NK cells.

Animals↗

Reduction of arginine vasopressin binding sites in mouse lateral septum by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine.

The neuropeptide arginine vasopressin modulates neuroadaptive processes, including memory consolidation and functional tolerance to ethanol, by actions at CNS V1 receptors. Noradrenergic systems play a role in these actions of the peptide. To assess whether vasopressin may act presynaptically on catecholamine neurons, vasopressin receptors were measured by quantitative autoradiography in the lateral septum, an area that is innervated by catecholaminergic neurons and has a high density of V1 receptors, of control and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated mice. Vasopressin receptors were distributed non-uniformly throughout the lateral septum, with greater binding in the more caudal regions. Treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine lowered septal catecholamine levels and vasopressin binding, with a greater effect on binding in the intermediate and caudal portions of the lateral septum. Pretreatment with desmethylimipramine reversed the depletion of norepinephrine, and attenuated the effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on vasopressin binding in the intermediate region, but was less effective in the caudal region of the lateral septum. The results suggest that a portion of septal vasopressin receptors are localized on the terminals of noradrenergic and, possibly, dopaminergic neurons, consistent with the hypothesis that certain neuroadaptive responses to vasopressin could be mediated by modulation of neurotransmitter release. In contrast to the results with 6-hydroxydopamine, treatment of mice with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, to destroy serotonergic terminals, did not alter vasopressin binding in the lateral septum.

Animals↗

Central carbachol stimulates vasopressin release into interstitial fluid adjacent to the paraventricular nucleus.

We have used an in vivo double microdialysis probe technique in conscious rats to determine whether the application of carbachol to one paraventricular nucleus (PVN) can result in increased local release of vasopressin from that PVN. Experiments were carried out 24 h after placement of microdialysis probes lateral to each PVN. When both probes were perfused initially with 0.9% NaCl, vasopressin was detected in the outflow (dialysate) from both probes. When carbachol (100 micrograms/ml) was included in the perfusate of one probe for the first 10 min of a 30-min collection period, while the other probe continued to be perfused with saline alone, there was a seven-fold increase in the concentration of vasopressin in the dialysate from the carbachol-perfused probe; the vasopressin concentration in the dialysate from the contralateral probe increased only slightly. The plasma vasopressin concentration was also elevated. When one of the paired probes was perfused with carbachol (100 micrograms/ml) for 30 min, there were similar increases in the concentration of vasopressin in the dialysate from both probes and a sustained increase in the plasma vasopressin concentration. Thus, vasopressin is released into the interstitial fluid adjacent to the PVN under basal conditions, and this release can be substantially increased when vasopressin secretion to the periphery is stimulated.

Animals↗

Action of vasopressin on hypoglossal motoneurones of the rat: presynaptic and postsynaptic effects.

The distribution of vasopressin binding sites in the hypoglossal nucleus of newborn rats was determined using autoradiography on film and a radioiodinated vasopressor antagonist. These sites predominated in the ventromedial and dorsal divisions of the nucleus. The effect of vasopressin on hypoglossal neurones was studied in brainstem slices of newborn animals, using the single-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Vasopressin, at 0.1-0.5 microM, generated a sustained inward current in a majority of neurones, an action which was mediated by V1-type receptors. Antidromic activation or morphological characterization of biocytin-labelled neurones indicate that part of the vasopressin-sensitive cells were motoneurones. When synaptic transmission was blocked by perfusing the preparation with a low-calcium/high-magnesium solution, the average vasopressin current decreased by 65%; and following TTX treatment, the peptide current decreased by 55%. In contrast, in a low-calcium solution, i.e., under conditions of reduced synaptic transmission but of increased neuronal excitability, the vasopressin current was not significantly altered. These results may be interpreted by assuming that the action of vasopressin is in part postsynaptic and in part presynaptic, the latter effect probably depending upon action potential propagation. Current-voltage relations suggest that the postsynaptic effect of vasopressin was due to the induction of a non-inactivating inward current, reversing in polarity at around -15 mV. The data raise the possibility that, in young animals, endogenous vasopressin may modulate the activity of hypoglossal motoneurones.

Afferent Pathways↗

Effect of angiotensin AT2 and muscarinic receptor blockade on osmotically induced vasopressin release.

Recently, we have shown that angiotensin II-induced AT1 receptor-mediated vasopressin release can be potentiated by blockade of periventricular AT2 receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether the AT2 receptor also exerts an inhibitory effect on osmotically induced vasopressin release. In addition, we tested the effect of the muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine, on hyperosmolar saline-induced vasopressin release. Plasma vasopressin levels were determined 90 s after intracerebroventricularly applied hyperosmolar saline (0.2, 0.3 and 0.6 M, 5 microliters) with or without intracerebroventricular pretreatment with 1 nmol of the selective AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123177 (1-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)methyl-5-diphenylacetyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahy dro- 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid-2HCl), or with 15 nmol of the muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine. PD 123177 potentiated 0.2 M saline-induced vasopressin release (4.7 +/- 0.8 pg/ml vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3 in vehicle-pretreated controls, P < 0.05), did not affect 0.3 M saline-induced vasopressin release (4.3 +/- 0.7 pg/ml vs. 5.4 +/- 0.6 pg/ml in vehicle-pretreated controls) and reduced 0.6 M saline-induced vasopressin release (10.0 +/- 2.3 pg/ml vs. 17.9 +/- 1.8 pg/ml in vehicle-pretreated controls, P < 0.05). Pretreatment with atropine reduced 0.3 M (2.3 +/- 0.6 pg/ml vs. 5.4 +/- 0.9 pg/ml in vehicle-pretreated controls, P < 0.05) and 0.6 M saline-induced AVP release (4.0 +/- 1.5 pg/ml vs. 18.4 +/- 2.4 pg/ml in vehicle-pretreated controls, P < 0.05) but did not affect 0.2 M saline-induced vasopressin release (2.1 +/- 0.4 pg/ml vs. 3.2 +/- 0.8 pg/ml in vehicle-pretreated controls). Our results suggest that the low saline concentration-induced, AT1 receptor-mediated, vasopressin release is under inhibitory control by periventricular AT2 receptors. Following high saline concentrations, a muscarinic mechanism seems to be predominant on which AT2 receptor stimulation acts in a facilitating manner.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗

Growth factor requirements of normal and polyomavirus middle T gene transformed REF52 cells in serum-free medium: indications of a reduced vasopressin requirement and its relationship to the control of phosphatidylinositol metabolism.

The growth factor requirement of normal and polyomavirus middle T gene transformed REF52 cells was studied in serum-free medium in an attempt to elucidate the possible linkage between an altered growth factor requirement and one or more altered physiological properties of the transformed cells. For optimal growth, REF52 cells required vasopressin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), hydrocortisone, insulin, transferrin, and fibronectin. Deletion of vasopressin or hydrocortisone from the medium resulted in a 50 to 60% reduction in cell growth and the deletion of HDL, transferrin, or the combination of EGF and vasopressin led to an 80 to 90% growth retardation. The same medium supported the growth of the transformed variant (PyMLV-REF52) at a rate comparable to that of 10% serum, and deletion of hydrocortisone, vasopressin, or the combination of EGF and vasopressin had virtually no effect on PyMLV-REF52 cell growth. In vasopressin-deleted medium, vasopressin elicited a rapid increase of intracellular inositol phosphate levels in REF52 cells and the control of phosphoinositide turnover was strictly regulated. In contrast, both cell proliferation and intracellular inositol phosphate levels of PyMLV-REF52 cells were not affected by vasopressin treatment under identical culture conditions, and control of phosphoinositide metabolism was lost. Thus, a correlation may exist between the trigger of a mitogenic signal and the stimulation of the phosphoinositol pathway by vasopressin in REF52 cells and this relationship was disrupted in PyMLV-REF52 cells.

Animals↗

Arginine vasopressin inhibits phasic contractions and stimulates giant contractions in monkey colon.

Abdominal cramps and urgent defecation are common side effects of clinical doses of arginine vasopressin, indicating that the drug may have stimulating effects on colonic motor activity. Four strain-gauge transducers were implanted on the colon in six monkeys. A blood flow probe was fixed on the inferior mesenteric artery. After a 1-hour control recording, vasopressin, 0.13, 1.3, or 13.0 ng.kg-1.min-1, was infused intravenously for 90 minutes. The frequency of basal colonic contractions was reduced with increasing doses of vasopressin, but their mean amplitude and duration were not altered. Giant migrating contractions associated with defecation were initiated by the highest dose of vasopressin. Atropine had no effect on these giant migrating contractions but completely inhibited normal phasic contractions. Hexamethonium completely inhibited both giant migrating contractions and phasic contractions. Parasympathetic denervation of the colon did not inhibit giant migrating contractions initiated by vasopressin. Our findings suggest that the physiological concentrations of serum vasopressin present perioperatively may transiently inhibit spontaneous colon contractions but are unlikely to be the major cause of postoperative ileus. The giant migrating contractions initiated by vasopressin may account for the defecation associated with pharmacological doses of vasopressin. The initiation of giant migrating contractions by vasopressin may be mediated through a neural pathway.

Animals↗