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PubMed2004

Involvement of prolactin, vasopressin and opioids in post-ictal antinociception induced by electroshock in rats.

The neurochemical mechanisms involved in post-ictal antinociception remain to be elucidated. Application of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) to rats results in post-ictal antinociception. The objective of this study was to identify endogenous substances that could participate in antinociception during post-ictal depression induced by ECS (70 mA, 60 Hz, 1 s). Antinociception was measured by the rat paw-pressure test, in which increased sensitivity is induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan. This test proved to be efficient in detecting the electroshock-induced antinociception. Intense post-ictal antinociception was observed over a period of 30 min after the end of the seizure. It was used nonspecific opioid and specific vasopressin antagonists and the prolactin (PRL) release inhibitor to test the reversal of antinociception. Administration of naloxone (5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg) blocked the post-ictal antinociception. The V(1) (125 microg/kg) and V(2) (250 microg/kg) vasopressin receptor antagonists ([beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl(1),O-Et-Tyr(2),Val(4),Arg(8)]-vasopressin and [adamantaneacetyl(1),O-Et-d-Tyr(2),Val(4),Abu(6),Arg(8,9)]-vasopressin) also inhibited the nociceptive response. The antinociception blockade was more intense after administration of the V(1) receptor antagonist. Bromocriptine (4, 8 and 12 mg/kg) was able to reverse antinociception behavior during the post-ictal period. Morphine (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg), vasopressin (12.5, 100 and 400 microg/kg) and prolactin (100, 200 and 400 microg/kg) administration promoted a higher nociceptive threshold. It was administered the three substances with their respective antagonists to verify the opioidergic pathway and vasopressin and prolactin release interactions, and as a positive control. We observed that the tested mediators were released in an independent manner, indicating no interference in which other.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of vasopressin on histamine H(1) receptor antagonist-induced spatial memory deficits in rats.

The effects of [Arg(8)] vasopressin on histamine H(1) receptor antagonist-induced memory deficits were investigated using the eight-arm radial maze performance test in rats. Pyrilamine and diphenhydramine as well as scopolamine induced memory deficits characterized by increases in the number of total errors, reference memory errors and working memory errors. [Arg(8)] vasopressin improved not only scopolamine--but also pyrilamine--and diphenhydramine-induced memory deficits, although a high dose of [Arg(8)] vasopressin was needed to antagonize pyrilamine-induced memory deficits. The effects of pyrilamine on the brain [Arg(8)] vasopressin content were studied, and the hippocampus [Arg(8)] vasopressin content was shown to be decreased after pyrilamine injection. From these observations, it seems likely that [Arg(8)] vasopressin participates in not only the cholinergic system but also the histaminergic system in spatial memory.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Vasopressin acting at V1-type receptors produces membrane depolarization in neonatal rat spinal lateral column neurons.

Vasopressin-immunoreactive fibers have been visualized in the area of spinal lateral horn cells, including spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons. The presence and nature of vasopressin receptors on neurons in this area were addressed using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in transverse spinal cord slice preparations from neonatal rat. Bath applications of Arg8-vasopressin (VP) induced a slow-onset membrane depolarization accompanied by spike discharges and membrane oscillations. In voltage-clamp, applications of VP induced a reversible, tetrodotoxin-resistant and dose-dependent inward current in 90% of tested cells. This effect was blocked by a V1 receptor antagonist [D-(CH2)5 Tyr (Me)-VP], whereas a V2 receptor agonist [desamino-(D-Arg8)-vasopressin] was ineffective. Furthermore the applications of oxytocin produced significantly smaller depolarizations when compared with VP suggesting that, at least in the neonatal lateral horn cells, vasopressin rather than oxytocin is more effective ligand. Both the amplitude and duration of the VP effect were enhanced after intracellular dialysis with GTP-gamma-S, a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue, whereas the inward current was significantly reduced after intracellular dialysis with GDP-beta-S, a stable analogue of GDP that competitively inhibits G-proteins. The observation that the VP-induced net inward current reversed at a potential close to the equilibrium for potassium ions and was associated with a decrease in membrane conductance in a majority of tested cells suggest mediation through closure of a leak potassium conductance. These data indicate that SPNs and other lateral horn cells possess functional G-protein-coupled V1-type vasopressin receptors that, in adult spinal cord, may contribute to CNS regulation of autonomic nervous system function.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Vasopressin modulates the activity of nicotinic cholinergic mechanisms during memory retrieval in mice.

Lysine vasopressin (0.03 micrograms/kg, sc) enhanced retention test performance on a one-trial step-through inhibitory avoidance task when injected into male Swiss mice 20 min before the retention test. Tests were done 48 h following training. A low dose of the vasopressin antagonist AAVP (0.01 microgram/kg, sc, 20 min prior to testing) did not significantly affect retention test performance, whereas a higher dose (0.03 microgram/kg, sc) impaired it. Neither lysine vasopressin nor AAVP when given prior to testing modified latencies to step-through of mice that had not received a footshock during training. The simultaneous administration of AAVP (0.01 microgram/kg, sc) prevented the enhancement of retention test performance induced by lysine vasopressin. The influence of lysine vasopressin on retention test performance was antagonized by the simultaneous administration of mecamylamine (5 mg/kg, sc) but not by hexamethonium (5 mg/kg, sc), atropine (0.5 mg/kg, sc), or methylatropine (0.5 mg/kg, sc). A modulatory role of vasopressin on the activity of central cholinergic nicotinic mechanisms which probably operate at the time of testing is suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Distribution of vasopressin and oxytocin receptors in the rat spinal cord: sex-related differences and effect of castration in pudendal motor nuclei.

The distribution of vasopressin and oxytocin receptors was established by in vitro autoradiography in the spinal cord of adult rats of either sex, as well as in male castrates. In both males and females, high concentrations of vasopressin binding sites were found in a few groups of somatic motoneurons: the large lateral group at the cervicothoracic junction in segments C8 and Th1; the small medial group in segments L3-L5; and the pudendal and retrodorsolateral nuclei in segments L5-L6. The extension and intensity of labelling in pudendal nuclei were markedly lower in females than in males, in particular in the dorsomedial nucleus, where binding was either not or hardly detectable. Gonadectomy in males resulted in a significant reduction of binding in pudendal nuclei, but not in other labelled motor nuclei. Moderate amounts of vasopressin binding sites were also found evenly distributed throughout the central gray at all segmental levels. Oxytocin binding sites were detectable in all spinal segments, but in low amounts and restricted to the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. The abundance of vasopressin binding sites in the central gray suggests that vasopressin may be involved in most spinal functions. The permanent expression of vasopressin binding sites in pudendal motor nuclei of is particular interest with regard to the known plasticity of pudendal motoneurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Contribution of vasopressin to vasoconstriction in patients with congestive heart failure: comparison with the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system.

Ten patients with advanced congestive heart failure were treated with an arginine vasopressin V1 antagonist during hemodynamic monitoring to determine the contribution of vasopressin to vasoconstriction in this disorder. The vasopressin antagonist caused a decrease in systemic vascular resistance in the three patients whose plasma vasopressin was greater than 4.0 pg/ml (average for the group was 2.4 +/- 0.6). Plasma vasopressin concentration correlated with the percent decrease of systemic vascular resistance (r = 0.70, p less than 0.025), serum sodium (r = 0.72, p less than 0.02) and serum creatinine (r = 0.85, p less than 0.005). To compare the relative roles of vasopressin, the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system, these patients also received captopril and phentolamine. Captopril decreased systemic vascular resistance by 20% (p less than 0.05), mostly in patients with high plasma renin activity. Levels of plasma renin activity ranged between 1 and 46 ng/ml per h (average 14.7 +/- 5.7) and correlated with serum sodium (r = 0.77, p less than 0.025), serum creatinine (r = 0.73, p less than 0.025) and right atrial pressure (r = 0.67, p less than 0.05). Phentolamine decreased systemic vascular resistance in all patients (average 34%, p less than 0.01), but the decrease did not correlate with the pretreatment norepinephrine concentration. Norepinephrine levels were elevated in all patients (694 +/- 110 pg/ml) and correlated with baseline stroke volume index (r = 0.75, p less than 0.025) and plasma renin activity (r = 0.67, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Angiotensin II potentiates vasopressin-dependent cAMP accumulation in CHO transfected cells. Mechanisms of cross-talk between AT1A and V2 receptors.

The V2 vasopressin and the AT1A angiotensin II receptors are respectively coupled to the adenylyl cyclase and the phosphoinositide pathways. The cross-talk between these two receptors and their transduction pathways were investigated in CHO cells transfected with cDNA of both AT1A and V2 receptors. In these cells, angiotensin II induced an increase in intracellular calcium, and vasopressin a rise in intracellular cAMP accumulation. The simultaneous addition of angiotensin II and vasopressin potentiated the production of cAMP by the V2 receptor. This potentiation was dose-dependent and, at a concentration of 10(-7) M angiotensin II, the accumulation of cAMP was 4-fold greater than that induced by 10(-7) M vasopressin alone. Such cross-talk occurred in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, indicating that inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity was not the principal cause of potentiation. This was confirmed by the absence of calcium-inhibitable isoforms of phosphodiesterases in CHO cells. The addition of angiotensin II to forskolin, which stimulates the adenylyl cyclase, did not modify the production of cAMP. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), partially mimicked, and staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, partially inhibited the effect of angiotensin II on vasopressin. Chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA-AM markedly reduced the potentiation of V2 receptor by angiotensin II. However, increase in intracellular calcium with thapsigargin did not modify the cAMP accumulation induced by vasopressin. It was concluded that, in CHO cells, activation of the AT1A receptor by angiotensin II potentiates the V2 receptor through activation of protein kinase C in the presence of intracellular calcium at a step located between the receptor and the adenylyl cyclase.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1998

Choline administration reverses hypotension in spinal cord transected rats: the involvement of vasopressin.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) choline (50-150 microg) increased blood pressure and decreased heart rate in spinal cord transected, hypotensive rats. Choline administered intraperitoneally (60 mg/kg), also, increased blood pressure, but to a lesser extent. The pressor response to i.c.v. choline was associated with an increase in plasma vasopressin. Mecamylamine pretreatment (50 microg; i.c.v.) blocked the pressor, bradycardic and vasopressin responses to choline (150 microg). Atropine pretreatment (10 microg; i.c.v.) abolished the bradycardia but failed to alter pressor and vasopressin responses. Hemicholinium-3 [HC-3 (20 microg; i.c.v.)] pretreatment attenuated both bradycardia and pressor responses to choline. The vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, (beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopenta-methylenepropionyl1, O-Me-Tyr2, Arg8)-vasopressin (10 microg/kg) administered intravenously 5 min after choline abolished the pressor response and attenuated the bradycardia-induced by choline. These data show that choline restores hypotension effectively by activating central nicotinic receptors via presynaptic mechanisms, in spinal shock. Choline-induced bradycardia is mediated by central nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Increase in plasma vasopressin is involved in cardiovascular effects of choline.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Rapid stimulation by vasopressin, oxytocin and angiotensin II of glycogen degradation in hepatocyte suspensions.

1. The hormonal control of glycogen breakdown was studied in hepatocytes isolated from livers of fed rats. 2. Glucose release was stimulated by [8-arginine]vasopressin (10pm-10nm), oxytocin (1nm-1mum), and angiotensin II (1nm-0.1mum). These responses are all at least as sensitive to hormone as is glucose output in the perfused rat liver. 3. The effect of these three hormones on glucose release was critically dependent on extracellular Ca(2+), unlike that of glucagon. Half-maximal restoration of the vasopressin response occurred if 0.3mm-Ca(2+) was added back to the incubation medium. 4. Glycogen breakdown was more than sufficient to account for the glucose released into the medium, in the absence or presence of hormones. Lactate release by hepatocytes was not affected by vasopressin, but was inhibited by glucagon. 5. If Ca(2+) was omitted from the extracellular medium, vasopressin stimulated glycogenolysis, but not glucose release. 6. The phosphorylase a content of hepatocytes was increased by vasopressin, oxytocin and angiotensin II; minimum effective concentrations were 0.1pm, 0.1nm and 10pm respectively. This response was also dependent on Ca(2+). 7. These results demonstrate that hepatocytes can respond to low concentrations of vasopressin and angiotensin II, i.e. these effects are likely to be relevant in the intact animal. The role of extracellular Ca(2+) in the effects of these hormones on hepatic glycogenolysis and glucose release is discussed.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1996

Properties of the human arginine vasopressin V2 receptor after site-directed mutagenesis of its putative palmitoylation site.

Most G-protein-coupled receptors have conserved cysteine residues in their C-terminal cytoplasmic domain that appear to be generally palmitoylated. An example is the human arginine vasopressin V2 receptor with cysteine residues at positions 341 and 342. Site-directed mutagenesis of the putative palmitoylation site was used to study the significance of palmitoylation for the V2 receptor. A multifunctional expression plasmid was constructed by cloning the V2 receptor cDNA into the vector pCDNAI.Neo. The resulting plasmid allowed site-directed mutagenesis experiments without subcloning, and stable and transient expression of the V2 receptor in Ltk- and COS.M6 cells respectively. The conserved cysteine residues Cys-341 and Cys-342 were placed by serine residues, yielding the single mutants C-341S and C-342S and the double mutant C-341S/C-342S. Functional expression in stably transfected Ltk- cells showed that the affinity of the three mutant receptors for arginine vasopressin was not altered. In contrast with the activation of adenylate cyclase through beta 2 adrenergic receptors, arginine vasopressin stimulated adenylate cyclase to the same extent and with similar EC50 values in both wild-type and mutant receptors. Transient expression of the C-341S/C-342S mutant receptor in COS.M6 cells confirmed an unaltered affinity of the mutant receptor for arginine vasopressin. However, the number of arginine vasopressin-binding sites on the cell surface was reduced by 30%, suggesting that the transport of the mutant receptor to the cell surface was impaired. In addition, the decrease in detectable arginine vasopressin-binding sites on the cell surface following pre-exposure to hormone was reduced, indicating that the sequestration/internalization of the mutant receptor on the cell surface was affected. The present data indicate that palmitoylation of the V2 receptor is important for intracellular trafficking and/or sequestration/internalization but not for agonist binding or activation of the Gs/adenylate cyclase system.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1976

Vasopressin and malignant deoxycorticosterone hypertension in rats.

1. The role of arginine-vasopressin in the pathogenesis of malignant deoxycorticosterone (DOC) hypertension of rats was investigated. 2. In rats with malignant DOC hypertension plasma arginine-vasopressin concentrations increased more than tenfold subsequent to volume depletion and a rise of serum osmolality. 3. The injection of a specific antibody serum for arginine-vasopressin caused a marked fall of blood pressure in rats with malignant DOC hypertension, whereas the injection of angiotensin II antiserum did not affect blood pressure. 4. In rats exhibiting a benign course of DOC hypertension plasma concentrations of arginine-vasopressin were increased threefold in comparison with normotensive control rats; the injection of an arginine-vasopressin antiserum induced a significant but small fall of blood pressure. 5. It is concluded that in the pathogenesis of malignant DOC hypertension arginine-vasopressin might play the role that the renin-angiotensin system plays in the pathogenesis of malignant renal hypertension.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Selective renal medullary damage and hypertension in the rat: the role of vasopressin.

The induction of selective renal medullary damage by 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide (BEA) results in polyuria and raised blood pressure. In view of the likely elevation of plasma vasopressin we have investigated the role of vasopressin (AVP) in the elevated blood pressure in this model. Plasma vasopressin levels in BEA pretreated rats were raised significantly (2 +/- 0.6 pg/ml vs 0.8 +/- 0.1 in normal rat, P less than 0.05) but not to pressor levels. In addition, pressor responsiveness was investigated in renal medullary damaged rats. There was a reduced response to vasopressin and noradrenaline but no alteration with angiotensin II. A specific V1, receptor AVP antagonist [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP] produced no fall in blood pressure but returned the noradrenaline dose-response curve to normal. This suggests an interaction between vasopressin and the sympathetic nervous system in this model. Thus there is no evidence that vasopressin contributes to the rise in blood pressure produced by chemical renal medullectomy and other mechanisms have to be sought.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2002

Vasopressin and hypercalciuria in enuresis: a reappraisal.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that vasopressin deficiency or hypercalciuria are important in polyuric and non-polyuric bedwetting, as nocturnal polyuria is a pathogenetic factor in enuresis responsive to antidiuretic therapy with desmopressin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Vasopressin deficiency has been implicated as a cause of nocturnal polyuria, but measurements of vasopressin in plasma have given contradictory results, because the hormone is released in pulses. Urinary levels reflect the secretion over longer periods. Hypercalciuria has also been proposed as a pathogenetic factor. Twenty-eight enuretic children who responded to desmopressin therapy with or without added anticholinergic agents (diuresis-dependent enuresis, DE), 15 children with therapy-resistant enuresis (not diuresis-dependent, NDE) and 51 continent controls were assessed. Urinary vasopressin, calcium and osmolality were measured in the morning after a 12-h thirst provocation. Urine production was recorded for 2 days. RESULTS: Because most data were not normally distributed, the values are expressed as the median (range). There were no differences in urine osmolality; i.e. con-trols 919 (636-1232), DE 849 (462-1149), NDE 968 (664-1191) mOsml/kg); vasopressin, controls 34 (8-983), DE 26 (9-295), NDE 50 (9-116) pmol/L; or calcium excretion (expressed as the calcium/creatinine ratio), controls 0.16 (0.01-0.71), DE 0.14 (0.04-0.67), and NDE 0.23 (0.03-0.69). The DE group produced more urine, at 18.4 (9.2-52.5) mL/kg/day, than the other groups, i.e. control 12.7 (8.3-42.8) and NDE 12.1 (6.3-36.8) mL/kg/day (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: All enuretic children with nocturnal polyuria do not have vasopressin deficiency. The urinary calcium excretion does not differ between enuretic and dry children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Vasopressin and angiotensin II contribute equally to the increased afterload in rabbits with heart failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Vasopressin, like angiotensin, has both vasoconstrictor and fluid retaining properties and therefore may make an important contribution to the pathogenesis of low output congestive heart failure. The study aimed to examine the relative importance of the renin-angiotensin system and vasopressin in an animal model of heart failure. DESIGN: The acute haemodynamic effects of vasopressin receptor blockade with a selective antagonist, d(CH2)5DAVP (AVPA) (30 micrograms.kg-1) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition with captopril (1 mg.kg-1) were compared. The effect of combined blockade (ie, vasopressin receptor antagonist + angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) was also examined. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL: Rabbits, 2.5-3.5 kg, with doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure (n = 20) were used. There were 15 controls. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both AVPA and captopril produced significant increases in cardiac output (11% and 13% respectively) and falls in peripheral vascular resistance (21% and 17% respectively). Inhibition of the two vasoconstrictor systems was additive and resulted in a fall in peripheral vascular resistance to levels found in normal animals. CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin and angiotensin II make equal contributions to the raised peripheral vascular resistance observed in this model of heart failure. Vasopressin inhibition may be useful in the treatment of heart failure either alone or as an adjunct to angiotensin converting inhibition.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1990

Coronary arteriolar vasoconstriction in myocardial ischaemia. Vasopressin, renin-angiotensin system and ANF.

Vasopressin, the renin-angiotensin system and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) interact in regulating blood pressure. While the vasoconstrictor effect of vasopressin and the renin-angiotensin system is well documented, the direct vascular effect of ANF is unclear. We studied in anaesthetized dogs the coronary vascular effects of agonists and antagonists of vasopressin and the renin-angiotensin system under control and ischaemic conditions, respectively. In addition, the action of ANF and its relationship to the renin-angiotensin system was analysed. A coronary artery was cannulated and perfused by a bypass system from the femoral arteries of the same animal. Coronary vasoconstriction by vasopressin was potentiated when myocardial ischaemia was induced by lowering coronary perfusion pressure while coronary constriction by angiotension I and II was mitigated. A vasopressin receptor blocker slightly reduced coronary blood flow at high doses (intrinsic activity) while the angiotensin II receptor blocker increased coronary flow in myocardial ischaemia. ANF effects were ambiguous at lower doses (1 ng (kg)-1 i.c.) with coronary constriction in 79% of dogs. At higher doses (1 microgram kg-1) ANF consistently induced coronary dilation. The angiotensin II receptor blocker saralasin significantly reduced this coronary dilator effect of ANF. Thus, in conclusion, a vasoconstrictor effect of endogenous vasopressin could not be shown by this study. In contrast, endogenous angiotensin II might participate in control of coronary blood flow during myocardial ischaemia. The coronary dilator effect of ANF at least in part appears to be due to interference with the renin-angiotensin system.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1986

Discovery and therapeutic utility of vasopressin antagonists in rats.

Vasopressin is the primary physiological factor regulating renal water reabsorption in mammals. Inhibitors of vasopressin-stimulated water reabsorption have previously been used as water diuretic agents in both experimental animals and man. The present studies describe and characterize the pharmacological effects of the potent vasopressin antagonist desGly d(CH2)5D-Tyr(Et)VAVP (SK&F 101926) and related analogs on renal water and solute excretion in conscious rats. Administration of SK&F 101926 was associated with dose-dependent increases in renal water excretion in conscious hydropenic rats. A selective vasopressin pressor (V1) antagonist (SK&F 100273) was inactive as a diuretic agent in these tests. SK&F 101926 antagonized, in a competitive fashion, exogenous vasopressin-stimulated antidiuresis in conscious water-loaded rats. Only modest increases in renal excretion of Na+, K+, and urea were observed when SK&F 101926 was administered. No changes in endogenous creatinine excretion were associated with the administration of SK&F 101926, suggesting that this drug does not affect glomerular filtration rate. The rank order of bioequivalency of alternative routes of administration of SK&F 101926 was intraperitoneal = intravenous = intramuscular = subcutaneous greater than intranasal much greater than rectal, ocular, and oral. SK&F 101926 (20 micrograms/kg/day) was effective in blocking the development of hyponatremia in a rat model of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). SK&F 100273 (100 micrograms/kg) hastened the onset of endotoxin-associated shock in rats. We conclude that SK&F 101926 is a potent water diuretic (aquaretic) agent in rats. The mechanism of action is most probably antagonism of vasopressin at renal epithelial (V2) receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Conformation of [8-arginine]vasopressin and V1 antagonists in dimethyl sulfoxide solution derived from two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation.

Structural and dynamic properties of [8-arginine]vasopressin and a class of highly potent vasopressin V1 antagonists which contain 3-mercapto-3,3-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid (Mca) in position 1 of the vasopressin sequence have been determined. On the basis of two-dimensional NMR experiments in dimethyl sulfoxide solution, interproton distances were derived according to which model conformations were built and refined using molecular dynamics simulations. The conformation of vasopressin and the V1 antagonists differ mainly in the region of the mutated residue. The antagonistic property was found to be related to an inversed chirality of the disulfide bridge. In all investigated molecules, characteristic beta-turn structure elements were found for the backbone conformation of the endocyclic residues Tyr2-Asn5. For this portion of the peptide sequence, various conformational equilibria were detected which matched different time scales. For [Arg8]vasopressin, averaged NMR parameters were obtained which could be explained by rapid interconversion between different beta-turn geometries, whereas multiple slowly exchanging conformations were observed for the V1 antagonists. V1 antagonists containing sarcosine in position 7 exhibited multiple spectral patterns for the exocyclic part attributed to cis/trans isomerization. The X-ray structure of deamino-oxytocin [Wood, S. P., Tickle, I. J., Treharne, A. M., Pitts, J. E., Mascarenhas, Y., Li, J. Y., Husain, J., Cooper, S., Blundell, T. L., Hruby, V. J., Buku, A., Fischman, A. J. & Wyssbrod, H. R. (1986) Science 232, 633-636] was found to represent one sample of the conformational space covered by the multiple conformations found for [Mca1, Arg8]vasopressin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Pressor sensitivity to exogenous vasopressin in conscious, adult rats treated neonatally with capsaicin.

Pressor responses to exogenous arginine vasopressin were assessed in adult rats that had been treated neonatally with capsaicin or its vehicle. Measurements were made under control conditions, after inhibition of baroreflexes (with pentolinium), and after inhibition of baroreflexes (with pentolinium) and the production of angiotensin II (with captopril). Resting arterial blood pressures and pressor sensitivities to exogenous arginine vasopressin were similar in capsaicin-treated and vehicle-injected rats. Sixty minutes after the administration of pentolinium, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced in both groups of rats and the pressor responses to arginine vasopressin were similarly and significantly enhanced. In both groups of rats 60 min after administration of pentolinium and captopril, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower than in the presence of pentolinium alone, but pressor responses were not different from those seen in control conditions. The possibility that the present results are explicable in terms of baroreflexes, the renin-angiotensin system and endogenous vasopressin interacting to influence the pressor sensitivity to exogenous vasopressin is discussed. From the present findings, it seems that our previous observation of impaired, vasopressin-mediated blood pressure recovery following acute hypotension in capsaicin-treated rats cannot be attributed to a reduced pressor sensitivity to the hormone.

Animals↗