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Role of arginine vasopressin and angiotensin II in cardiovascular responses to combined acute hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis in conscious dogs.

The physiological relationship of increased circulating angiotensin II and vasopressin to circulatory changes during combined hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis is unclear. To evaluate the role(s) of angiotensin II and vasopressin, seven unanesthetized female mongrel dogs with controlled sodium intake (80 meq/24 h X 4 d) were studied during 40 min of combined acute hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis (PaO2, 36 +/- 1 mmHg; PaCO2, 55 +/- 2 mmHg; pH = 7.16 +/- 0.04) under the following conditions: (a) intact state with infusion of vehicles alone; (b) beta-adrenergic blockade with infusion of d,l-propranolol (1.0 mg/kg bolus, 0.5 mg/kg per h); of the vasopressin pressor antagonist d-(CH2)5Tyr(methyl)arginine-vasopressin (10 micrograms/kg); and (d) simultaneous vasopressin pressor and angiotensin II inhibition with the additional infusion of 1-sarcosine, 8-alanine angiotensin II (2.0 micrograms/kg per min). The rise in mean arterial pressure during the combined blood-gas derangement with vehicles appeared to be related to increased cardiac output, since total peripheral resistance fell. Beta-adrenergic blockade abolished the fall in total peripheral resistance and diminished the rise in cardiac output during combined hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis, but the systemic pressor response was unchanged. In addition, the rise in mean arterial pressure during the combined blood-gas derangement was unaltered with vasopressin pressor antagonism alone. In contrast, the simultaneous administration of the vasopressin pressor and angiotensin II inhibitors during combined hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis resulted in the abrogation of the overall systemic pressor response despite increased cardiac output, owing to a more pronounced fall in total peripheral resistance. Circulating catecholamines were increased during the combined blood-gas derangement with vasopressin pressor and angiotensin II blockade, suggesting that the abolition of the systemic pressor response in the last 30 min of combined hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis was not related to diminished activity of the sympathetic nervous system. These studies show that vasopressin and angiotensin II are major contributors to the systemic pressor response during combined acute hypoxemia and hypercapnic acidosis.

Angiotensin II↗

Vasopressin stimulation of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) in humans. In vivo bioassay of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) which provides evidence for CRF mediation of the diurnal rhythm of ACTH.

The diurnal response of ACTH release to intravenously administered arginine vasopressin was tested in normal volunteers given consecutively moderate doses of vasopressin every 15 min (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 IU) at 2200 h and again at 0700 h (PM/AM). This protocol was repeated 4 wk later with the times reversed (AM/PM). A dose-related increase in ACTH secretion was observed in all subjects. When the AM response of the AM/PM protocol was compared with the PM response of the PM/AM protocol, the release of ACTH was greater in the morning (P less than 0.05) as evaluated by the following criteria: peak value of ACTH (129.9 +/- 30.4 pg/ml in the AM vs. 57.1 +/- 20.2 in the PM); area under the curve (689 in the AM vs. 259 in the PM); and, sensitivity of the ACTH dose-response curve (first significant increase in ACTH with 1 IU of vasopressin in the AM but not significant even after 3 IU in the PM). In addition, when the AM vasopressin testing followed a previous evening stimulation (PM/AM protocol), there was a blunted ACTH response compared with the AM/PM protocol. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is probably the major ACTH secretagogue, but since vasopressin acts synergistically with CRF to produce an augmented release of ACTH, we suggest that the ACTH response to administered vasopressin depends upon the ambient endogenous level of CRF. We interpret our data and published data that CRF produces a lesser release of ACTH in the AM as follows: in the morning endogenous CRF is high and administered CRF produces little further release of ACTH, but administered vasopressin acting synergistically with high endogenous CRF causes a greater release of ACTH; conversely, in the evening endogenous CRF is low and administered CRF causes a greater release of ACTH, but vasopressin (a weak secretagogue by itself) gives a low ACTH response. We conclude that vasopressin stimulation of ACTH secretion can be used as an in vivo bioassay of endogenous CRF, and that there is a diurnal rhythm of CRF in hypophyseal portal blood.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Role of vasopressin in blood pressure regulation during adrenal insufficiency.

The effect of adrenal insufficiency on the plasma concentrations of two vasoactive hormones, vasopressin and angiotensin II, was studied in conscious dogs. In addition the role of vasopressin in the maintenance of blood pressure during adrenal insufficiency was studied using [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine vasopressin, a specific antagonist of the vasoconstrictor action of vasopressin. Dogs were bilaterally adrenalectomized and maintained on daily cortisol and deoxycorticosterone acetate injections. Withdrawal of steroids for 4 days resulted in a 4-fold increase in plasma vasopressin concentration (P less than 0.05) and a 3-fold increase in plasma angiotensin II concentration (P less than 0.001); mean arterial pressure did not change significantly. Administration of the vasopressin antagonist in adrenalectomized dogs maintained on steroids had no effect on blood pressure. In marked contrast, vasopressin blockade in dogs with adrenal insufficiency decreased mean arterial pressure by 22 +/- 5 mm Hg (P less than 0.001). These results demonstrate the plasma angiotensin II and vasopressin concentrations increase during adrenal insufficiency in conscious dogs, and that vasopressin plays an important role in blood pressure regulation in this hypovolemic state.

Adrenal Insufficiency↗

Effects of nonhypotensive hemorrhage on renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin in the dog.

A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of moderate nonhypotensive hemorrhage on the renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin in anesthetized dogs. A nonhypotensive hemorrhage was conducted in nine dogs by withdrawal of 12 ml/kg arterial blood over 10 min. This reduction in blood volume increased the plasma vasopressin concentration from a prehemorrhage value of 4.3 +/- 0.5 to 12.5 +/- 3.4 microU/ml (P less than 0.01) in the 15-min period immediately after hemorrhage and to 8.1 +/- 1.4 microU/ml (P less than 0.01) in the 45- to 60-min period after hemorrhage. The increased plasma vasopressin concentration was not associated with changes in either plasma osmolality or mean arterial blood pressure. The urinary excretion of vasopressin increased significantly after hemorrhage (P less than 0.01, 0-15 min after hemorrhage; P less than 0.05, 45-60 min after hemorrhage) and correlated significantly with the plasma vasopressin concentration (r = 0.92; P less than 0.001). However, this moderate nonhypotensive hemorrhage did not change the renal vasopressin extraction ratio or the renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin from their prehemorrhage values of 0.27 +/- 0.02, 2.00 +/- 0.20 ml/min X kg, and 1.43 +/- 0.13 ml/min X kg, respectively. At no time were these values different from those in nine time control dogs. Thus, changes in the renal handling of vasopressin do not contribute to the increase in the plasma vasopressin concentration after moderate nonhypotensive hemorrhage.

Animals↗

Effect of baroreceptor denervation on the inhibition of renin release by vasopressin.

Previous studies have suggested that the inhibition of renin secretion by acute administration of vasopressin in conscious dogs results from a reflex reduction in renal nerve activity. In the present investigation, this hypothesis was tested by studying the effect of total baroreceptor denervation or selective low pressure baroreceptor denervation on the suppression of PRA by vasopressin in conscious, chronically prepared dogs. In eight sham-operated dogs, a 45-min infusion of vasopressin (2.0 ng/kg.min, iv) decreased PRA from 10.5 +/- 1.9 to 5.9 +/- 1.0 ng/ml.3 h (P less than 0.01). Mean arterial pressure did not change (110 +/- 10 to 107 +/- 7 mm Hg), but heart rate decreased from 84 +/- 9 to 69 +/- 8 beats/min (P less than 0.05). In contrast, vasopressin infusion failed to significantly decrease PRA in seven sinoaortic/cardiac denervated dogs (9.5 +/- 1.7 to 7.4 +/- 2.0 ng/ml.3 h), although decreases did occur in three of the dogs. Mean arterial pressure increased from 104 +/- 5 to 125 +/- 6 mm Hg (P less than 0.01), but heart rate did not change (112 +/- 4 to 107 +/- 5 beats/min). When renal perfusion pressure was maintained at the preinfusion level in three sinoaortic/cardiac denervated dogs, vasopressin infusion failed to decrease PRA (2.3 +/- 0.6 to 2.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml.3 h). In six cardiac denervated dogs, vasopressin infusion decreased PRA from 5.3 to 0.9 to 3.1 +/- 0.7 ng/ml.3 h (P less than 0.01). Results obtained with two lower doses of vasopressin (0.5 and 1.0 ng/kg.min) were generally similar to the responses observed during infusion at 2.0 ng/kg.min. Angiotensin II (5.0 ng/kg.min) suppressed PRA in all groups of dogs. These experiments demonstrate that the inhibition of renin secretion by acute administration of vasopressin in conscious dogs is prevented by total baroreceptor denervation, but not by denervation of the low pressure baroreceptors alone. These results suggest that the suppression of renin release by vasopressin is a reflex response resulting from activation of the high pressure baroreceptors.

Angiotensin II↗

Cold water stimulation of oropharyngeal receptors in man inhibits release of vasopressin.

The act of drinking ameliorates thirst and inhibits the secretion of vasopressin before changes in extracellular fluid volume or osmolality in both animals and man. We evaluated whether this reflex inhibition of vasopressin secretion might be due to the presence of oropharyngeal receptors in humans. After dehydration, normal subjects (n = 4) were allowed to suck on ice chips for 30 min. Despite the absence of changes in plasma sodium (Na+) or osmolality, the mean plasma vasopressin level decreased promptly within 10 min from 2.8 to 1.8 pg/mL, and it remained low for 30 min after ice ingestion. When the dehydration protocol was repeated with the subjects receiving 100 mL water (25 C) for 30 min rather than ice chips, plasma vasopressin levels did not change. These data demonstrate that activation of cold-sensitive oropharyngeal receptors results in inhibition of vasopressin secretion independently of osmotic or gastric factors. In a second study 0.2 mL/kg X min 3% NaCl was administered for 90 min as a second stimulus to vasopressin secretion, and ice chips were given during the last 30 min of infusion. Plasma vasopressin levels increased steadily to 3.3 +/- 0.5 (+/- SEM) pg/mL by 45 min, and despite ice ingestion increased further to 4.6 +/- 0.8 pg/mL by 90 min. Consequently, hypertonicity appears to be a stronger stimulus to vasopressin release, since the suppressive effect of stimulation of oropharyngeal receptors with ice was not evident during the NaCl infusion. Finally, no changes in vasopressin levels were found in subjects holding concentrated NaCl solutions in their mouths for 30 min, indicating that the oropharyngeal receptors are not responsive to local changes in osmolality. The presence of such cold-sensitive oropharyngeal receptors may explain the desire of severely dehydrated patients, e.g. patients with diabetes insipidus, for cold liquids.

Adult↗

Two novel mutations of the vasopressin gene associated with familial diabetes insipidus and identification of an asymptomatic carrier infant.

Familial diabetes insipidus (FDI) is a syndrome of central vasopressin deficiency that is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and that typically becomes clinically apparent in the first decade of life. Two novel mutations of the vasopressin gene have been identified in two previously unstudied kindreds with FDI. In each kindred, the inheritance of the FDI phenotype was consistent with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. In each proband, the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus had been confirmed previously with a water deprivation protocol. After extraction of genomic DNA from each individual, the three exons of the vasopressin gene were separately amplified by PCR and directly sequenced using an automated dye termination method. In the proband and two other carriers of one kindred, a heterozygous C to T mutation was identified at nucleotide 1857. This is predicted to produce a serine to phenylalanine substitution at residue 56 of the vasopressin-related neurophysin peptide encoded by the mutated allele. The mutation also abolished an MspI site in the vasopressin sequence, and analysis of genomic DNA from eight members of the kindred (five with FDI) confirmed segregation of the mutation with the FDI phenotype. Another member of the kindred, a 13-month-old infant, also has the heterozygous C to T mutation, but a formal water balance study showed no evidence of diabetes insipidus. In the proband of the other kindred, a heterozygous G to A mutation was identified at nucleotide 1873. This mutation would be predicted to cause a cysteine to tyrosine substitution at residue 61 of the neurophysin encoded by the mutated allele. This heterozygous mutation was confirmed by the presence of an RsaI restriction site in one vasopressin allele in two members of the kindred. Therefore, two novel heterozygous mutations of the vasopressin gene have been identified in FDI kindreds. In one kindred, an asymptomatic carrier infant was identified and will require continued observation to determine whether she will develop clinical diabetes insipidus. The presence of these two novel mutations in a region of the vasopressin gene where other FDI mutations have been reported suggests that the part of the neurophysin peptide encoded by these sequences may be critically important in the appropriate expression of vasopressin.

Diabetes Insipidus↗

Familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus in a large Dutch kindred: effect of the onset of diabetes on growth in children and cell biological defects of the mutant vasopressin prohormone.

Familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus (FNDI) is an autosomal dominant trait in which expression of a mutant vasopressin prohormone reduces vasopressin production. We investigated the NP85 Cys-->Gly mutant vasopressin prohormone in a large kindred in The Netherlands. We demonstrate that growth retardation is an important early sign in two children from this kindred, which recuperates by substitution therapy with 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin. To obtain clues about the basis for the dominant inheritance of FNDI, we analyzed the trafficking and processing of the mutant vasopressin prohormone in cell lines by metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation. The mutant vasopressin prohormone was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and thus was not processed to vasopressin. This defect was not caused by dimerization of the vasopressin prohormone via its unpaired cysteine residue. High level expression of the mutant vasopressin prohormone in cell lines resulted in strong accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum and an altered morphology of this organelle. We hypothesize that disturbance of the endoplasmic reticulum results in dysfunction and ultimately cell death of the cells expressing the mutant prohormone. Our data support the hypothesis that FNDI is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with delayed onset of symptoms. Its treatment requires early detection of symptoms for which growth parameters are useful.

Adult↗

Effects of continuous vasopressin infusion in patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Small studies have reported that vasopressin improves hemodynamic instability in patients with septic shock. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vasopressin infusion increases blood pressure, decreases catecholamine vasopressor use, and improves renal function in a large patient population with septic shock when used in a clinical setting. METHODS: A retrospective chart audit was conducted of critically ill patients who received vasopressin infusion for septic shock from January 2000 through September 2002. Demographic, hemodynamic, laboratory, vasopressor, and adverse event data were collected. Statistical methods included ANOVA with Tukey's test for post hoc analysis. RESULTS: A total of 102 of 353 patients met study criteria. The mean +/- SD vasopressin dosage regimen was 0.11 +/- 0.17 units/min for 53.8 +/- 71.5 hours. Compared with baseline, vasopressin infusion improved mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 15% within one hour (p < 0.05), reduced heart rate by 9% within 4 hours (p < 0.05), and reduced hourly dopamine dosage by 25% within 8 hours (p < 0.05). These effects persisted through 96 hours. Other hemodynamic variables and catecholamine vasopressor usage parameters were not statistically different from baseline. Urine output, serum creatinine, and serum sodium concentrations were not statistically changed from baseline. Adverse events possibly associated with vasopressin infusion included ischemic digits/extremities, myocardial infarction, and hyponatremia. CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin infusion was effective in increasing MAP and reducing heart rate while decreasing the dopamine dosage in patients with septic shock. Comparative studies with catecholamine vasopressors are needed to define the optimal role of vasopressin in septic shock therapy. In the meantime, vasopressin infusion at <or=0.03 units/min should be considered only if response to 1 or 2 catecholamine vasopressors is inadequate or as a method to reduce the dose of these therapies.

Blood Pressure↗

Secretory rhythm of vasopressin in healthy subjects with inversed sleep--wake cycle: evidence for the existence of an intrinsic regulation.

The objective of this paper was to find out if the higher night levels of vasopressin described in previous studies are a manifestation of a permanent and stable rhythm bound to the different periods of the day or if they are independent of them and due to other causes. Vasopressin secretion was studied in a group of seven healthy subjects with an inverted sleep--wake cycle (night workers who sleep and rest during the day). The study was performed during the last week of their working period after at least 3 weeks of continuous night shift. Plasma samples for vasopressin determination were taken every 4 h during a 24-h period while the subjects were performing their normal night work and with their usual sleeping habits during the day. Plasma osmolality, electrolytes and blood pressure were also assessed during the test. In contrast to previous studies where higher nocturnal values have been reported, we found significantly higher vasopressin levels during the day, giving as a whole a characteristic pattern with the highest vasopressin levels measured at 16.00 h followed by a progressive decrement that reached its nadir at 04.00 h. The total measured secretion of vasopressin was significantly higher during the day than during the night (p = 0.0313). No significant difference was found, on the other hand, between day samples, with the exception of samples taken at 16.00 h and at 12.00 h (p = 0.031). Plasma osmolality and electrolytes were within the normal range during the test and no statistical difference was observed at the various points. It was concluded that the secretion of vasopressin is higher during sleep and rest time and lower during the active part of the 24 h. The secretory pattern of vasopressin is not bound to the different periods of the day as such, nor to variations in plasma osmolality or electrolytes. It seems therefore reasonable to assume that the secretion of vasopressin has an intrinsic daily rhythm that is not related to known regulatory agents but is modulated by other unidentified factors. Several hypotheses are discussed.

Activity Cycles↗

Decreased urinary active and inactive kallikrein by chronic infusion of vasopressin in conscious rats.

To assess possible interactions of circulating vasopressin with the synthesis or activation of renal kallikrein, we studied the effect of chronic infusion of vasopressin (7.2 U/kg/day i.p.) for 6 days on the urinary excretion of total and active kallikrein in conscious rats. We determined urinary total, active and inactive kallikrein by measuring kallikrein activity using a kininogenase assay before and after the treatment with trypsin (200 micrograms/ml). Chronic infusion of vasopressin induced sustained decreases in urinary total, active and inactive kallikrein excretion, but did not affect the ratio of active to total kallikrein. The infusion of vasopressin induced significant increases in circulating levels of vasopressin (248.1 +/- 35.2 pg/ml in vasopressin-infused rats (n = 7) compared to 95.5 +/- 14.6 pg/ml in vehicle-infused rats (n = 7), p less than 0.001) and in weight gain (39.6 +/- 1.3 g in vasopressin-infused rats (n = 7) compared to 29.1 +/- 3.3 g in vehicle-infused rats (n = 7), p less than 0.05), and also sustained decreases in water intake and urine volume, but it did not induce any change in urinary sodium excretion. Circulating levels of angiotensin II was decreased by chronic infusion of vasopressin. Thus, the present study suggests that the elevation of circulating vasopressin levels induces a decrease in the synthesis of renal kallikrein.

Animals↗

Immunoreactive vasopressin and oxytocin in hypothalamo-hypophysial portal blood of the Brattleboro and Long-Evans rat: effect of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone.

Immunoreactive vasopressin and oxytocin were measured in the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal blood of both Long-Evans and homozygous Brattleboro rats. Adrenalectomy caused an increase in vasopressin immunoreactivity in portal blood in the Long-Evans strain, whilst administration of dexamethasone to these adrenalectomized animals resulted in a reduction in portal vasopressin immunoreactivity to levels below those seen in sham-operated animals. This vasopressin immunoreactivity co-eluted with synthetic vasopressin on high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and diluted in parallel in radio-immunoassay. In Brattleboro rats, however, although vasopressin-like immunoreactivity was detected, the portal concentration did not vary with the adrenal status of the animal, nor did it show the characteristics of standard vasopressin on HPLC or in immunoassay. Oxytocin was present in the portal blood of both Long-Evans and Brattleboro rats at similar very high concentrations, but did not vary in response to adrenalectomy. These results are consistent with a role for vasopressin, but not oxytocin, in the hypothalamic response to adrenalectomy and glucocorticoid feedback. Neither vasopressin immunoreactivity nor oxytocin appear to subserve this role in the homozygous Brattleboro rat.

Adrenalectomy↗

Effect of ovariectomy and treatment with ovarian steroids on vasopressin release and fluid balance in the rat.

Plasma vasopressin concentrations have previously been shown to vary during the oestrous cycle of the rat, being highest on the morning of pro-oestrus and lowest on dioestrus day 1. To determine the effect of gonadal steroids on vasopressin secretion and fluid balance, mature rats were ovariectomized and given oestrogen, progesterone or vehicle alone s.c. for periods of up to 16 days. Plasma vasopressin concentrations fell after ovariectomy and this was reflected in an increase in 24-h urine volume. The normal increase in plasma vasopressin concentrations seen over day-light hours was also suppressed. The change in vasopressin concentrations observed on steroid treatment depended upon both the dose and the duration. High doses of oestrogen were associated with a fall in plasma vasopressin, probably as a result of fluid retention. Thus, of an initial group of rats given silicone elastomer implants containing 50, 500 or 1000 micrograms oestradiol in oil, plasma vasopressin concentrations were reduced after 7 days treatment with 1000 micrograms oestradiol implants in association with reduced plasma sodium concentrations. Daily s.c. injections of 100 micrograms oestradiol benzoate/100 g body weight produced an immediate small increase in plasma vasopressin concentrations, but by 14 days the plasma concentrations of 0.7 +/- 0.16 pmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) had fallen significantly and were less than those in the vehicle-treated group (1.2 +/- 0.26 pmol/l). However, after treatment for 14 days with implants containing only 50 micrograms oestradiol, plasma vasopressin concentrations were higher compared with the group receiving vehicle alone, despite the fact that the plasma osmolality was lower in the latter group, suggesting a long term resetting of the osmoreceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Management of vasodilatory shock: defining the role of arginine vasopressin.

The rationale for an arginine vasopressin (argipressin) infusion was put forward after it was discovered that patients in shock states might have an endogenous arginine vasopressin deficiency. Subsequently, several investigations impressively demonstrated that arginine vasopressin can successfully stabilise haemodynamics even in advanced vasodilatory shock. We report on physiological and pharmacological aspects of arginine vasopressin, and summarise current clinical knowledge on employing a continuous arginine vasopressin infusion in critically ill patients with catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock of different aetiologies. In view of presented experimental evidence and current clinical experience, a continuous arginine vasopressin infusion of approximately 2 to approximately 6 IU/h can be considered as a supplemental strategy to vasopressor catecholamines in order to preserve cardiocirculatory homeostasis in patients with advanced vasodilatory shock. Because data on adverse effects are still limited, arginine vasopressin should be reserved for patients in whom adequate haemodynamic stabilisation cannot be achieved with conventional vasopressor therapy or who have obvious adverse effects of catecholamines that result in further significant haemodynamic deterioration. For the same reasons, arginine vasopressin should not be used as a single, alternative vasopressor agent instead of catecholamine vasopressors. Future prospective studies will be necessary to define the exact role of arginine vasopressin in the therapy of vasodilatory shock.

Arginine Vasopressin↗

Plasma vasopressin in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Concentrations of the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin, were measured in 28 patients with severe hyperglycemia to determine if abnormalities in hormonal regulation of water excretion could contribute to the extreme dehydration of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Vasopressin levels were markedly elevated in both nonketotic and ketotic patients, indicating that vasopressin deficiency plays no role in the polyuria that accompanies hyperglycemia. Instead, the observed increases in vasopressin represent an ineffective effort to conserve water in the face of an overwhelming solute diuresis caused by the glucosuria. The reasons for such marked elevations in plasma vasopressin in these diabetic patients are multifactorial. Both groups of diabetic patients had evidence of hypovolemia, which was sufficient in magnitude to stimulate vasopressin release. Furthermore, nausea provided an independent stimulus to vasopressin secretion in many patients. Osmotic stimulation might have resulted from the large fraction of unidentified plasma solutes, but this factor alone was not sufficient to explain the markedly increased concentrations of vasopressin. Whether such elevations in vasopressin could have metabolic and/or hemodynamic effects in uncrontrolled diabetes remains to be established.

Adolescent↗

Effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on canine cerebral circulation in vivo.

In vivo experiments on the vasoactive effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on cerebral circulation were carried out in anesthetized dogs, using an electromagnetic flowmeter to measure vertebral blood flow and angiography to measure the internal diameter of the basilar artery. Direct bolus infusion of 1 pmol to 1 nmol of vasopressin or 10 pmol to 10 nmol of oxytocin into a femoral-vertebral artery shunt produced a dose-dependent decrease in vertebral artery blood flow without significantly affecting mean arterial blood pressure. Vasopressin was more potent than endothelin and neuropeptide Y, which have also been demonstrated to induce long-lasting decreases in vertebral artery blood flow. However, direct bolus infusion of vasopressin (100 pmol and 1 nmol) or oxytocin (1 nmol and 10 nmol) into the vertebral artery dilated major vessels including the vertebral, anterior spinal, and basilar arteries, as well as the circle of Willis and its main branches, while endothelin (1 nmol) and neuropeptide Y (5 nmol) caused no change in the diameters of major cerebral arteries. The V1 antagonist d(CH2)5tyrosine(methyl) arginine vasopressin suppressed the effects of both vasopressin and oxytocin. Vasopressin was over 10 times as potent as oxytocin in both assays. The vasodilatory effect of vasopressin, which may be mediated by an endothelium-dependent mechanism, was functionally damaged in dogs after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. These data suggest regional differences in the sensitivity and responsiveness of vasculature to vasopressin and oxytocin, and specifically that both peptides act through V1 receptors to decrease the resistance of large vessels and increase the resistance of small vessels.

Animals↗

[Response of vasopressin and tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus to chronic osmotic stimulation].

This study has evaluated the dynamic of intracellular vasopressin and tyrosine hydroxylase contents in the neuron cell bodies in the supraoptic nucleus and in the axons of the posterior lobe in rats drinking 2% NaCl for 1, 2, and 3 weeks. The number of vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons increased by the end of the second week of osmotic stimulation that might be explained by the onset of vasopressin synthesis in the neurons which do not synthesize this neurohormone under normal physiological conditions. The concentration of vasopressin fell down continuously during the first two weeks of salt-loading, apparently, due to predominance of the vasopressin release over its synthesis. Over the third week of salt-loading, the intracellular concentration of vasopressin was not changed significantly suggesting the establishment of the dynamic equilibrium between the vasopressin synthesis and release. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons and the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase in cell bodies and the large axonal swellings, Herring bodies, increased gradually showing that the rate of tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis prevailed over that of its enzymatic degradation. Thus, the chronic stimulation of vasopressin neurons is accompanied by a number of the adaptive reactions; the most important is related to the onset of vasopressin and tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis in the neurons which do not synthetize both of them under normal conditions.

Animals↗

[Vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists: pharmacological properties and clinical implications].

Vasopressin, or anti-diuretic hormone, is a peptide hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of extracellular volume and its osmolarity. Increased plasma osmolarity and hypovolemia are the principal physiological stimuli for vasopressin release. The biological effects of vasopressin on its target organs are mediated by two receptors: V1 and V2. V2 is localized to renal tissue and its activation leads to upregulation of aquaporin-2 in the collecting duct allowing the reabsorption of large volumes of water. In contrast, V1 is expressed mainly in blood vessel walls, and its activation results in vascoconstriction. Besides the physiological importance of the vasopressin system, it also plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. These clinical syndromes are characterized by enhanced plasma levels of vasopressin, which correlate with the severity of the disease and largely contribute to the development of edema and hyponatremia. Great efforts have been invested in attempting to develop selective and long lasting vasopressin antagonists. However, general medicine and particularly nephrology, suffered from the absence of non-peptide vasopressin blockers that could be taken orally. The last few years have witnessed the development of numerous selective vasopressin antagonists with high bioavailability and long half-lives. Administration of these antagonists to patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion substantially enhanced free water excretion and moderately increased serum sodium concentrations. No side effects, except for mild increased thirst sensation, were observed. The present review focuses on the recent developments in vasopressin research, with special emphasize on the development of selective non-peptide antagonists and their clinical use.

Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists↗