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R J Balment

Publications and source records attributed to R J Balment.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

The influence of vasopressin on oxytocin-induced changes in urine flow in the male rat.

Oxytocin administration in rat infused with hypotonic saline is associated with a saliuresis and altered renal water excretion. The role of vasopressin in determining the pattern of oxytocin-induced changes in urine flow was investigated in Long Evans and vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats, which exhibit contrasting diuretic and antidiuretic responses to oxytocin. Ethanol anaesthesia and water loading in Long Evans suppressed plasma vasopressin levels and was associated with an antidiuretic response to oxytocin. Vasopressin administration in the Brattleboro rat reversed the oxytocin-induced antidiuresis normally observed in vasopressin deficiency. These results taken with previous observations, have been interpreted as indicative that oxytocin acts as a weak agonist at the renal vasopressin receptor. When plasma vasopressin is suppressed or absent oxytocin acts as a weak antidiuretic agent, but in the presence of higher vasopressin levels a diuretic response to oxytocin is seen which follows displacement of vasopressin, the more potent antidiuretic agent, from the renal receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Release of oxytocin induced by salt loading and its influence on renal excretion in the male rat.

1. The present study investigates the nature and magnitude of the renal response to plasma levels of oxytocin which might be induced by salt loading. 2. Increased plasma osmolality induced by loading with NaCl is an effective stimulus for oxytocin release in the unanaesthetized male rat. Plasma oxytocin concentration was positively correlated (r = 0-.77) with plasma osmolality. Plasma oxytocin (muu./ml.) = 0.37 x (plasma osmolality (m-osmole/kg) -297). 3. In anaesthetized Long Evans rats intra-atrial administration of oxytocin at rates of 0.05 and 0.15 m-u./ml. produced plasma hormone concentrations (5 +/- 1 and 16 +/- 2 mum./ml. respectively) within the range induced by salt loading. 4. Oxytocin administration at 0.15 and 1.5 m-u./min in Long Evans rats produced dose-related increases in urine flow and Na+ and Cl- excretion. Renal responses to 0.05 m-u. oxytocin/min were equivocal. 5. Oxytocin administration at 0.15 m-u./min was ineffective in Brattleboro rats but 1.5 m-u./min led to increased Na+ and Cl- excretion and a reduction in urine flow. 6. Plasma oxytocin levels similar to those induced by severe dehydration or salt loading are effective in increasing renal Na+ and Cl- excretion and urine flow. These effects on water and electrolyte excretion appear to be independent of each other and both may be modified by the presence or absence of vasopressin. 7. This study provides no evidence for a major role for oxytocin in the day to day regulation of salt or water balance under conditions of normal hydration in the male rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Time course of lithium-induced alterations in renal and endocrine function in normal and Brattleboro rats with hypothalamic diabetes insipidus.

1. A lithium chloride (1.1 g/kg) supplemented diet was given to Long Evans (LE) and Brattleboro (DI) rats to investigate its actions in the presence (LE) and absence (DI) of vasopressin. 2. During the first 24 h, Li-supplemented LE rats displayed an initial water deficit (drinking less than renal output), increased plasma antidiuretic (ADH) titres and slightly increased plasma renin activities (PRA) and plasma osmolarities. Such changes were qualitatively similar to those seen in rats fed a normal diet, but deprived of water for 24 hours. After 12 days, the Li-supplemented rats had elevated plasma ADH titres, but reduced pituitary oxytocic and antidiuretic activities. 3. The urinary losses of Na, K and Cl exceeded dietary intakes in LE rats on the introduction of the Li-supplement, and the urinary osmolarity fell by 50%. Electrolyte balances were gradually re-established, although drinking and urine production increased in parallel to reach twice the control values by day 12 of the supplement. 4. Aldosterone and corticosterone secretory rates and their peripheral plasma concentrations were unchanged both after 24 h and 28 days of the Li-supplement. 5. Li elicited no water deficit or saluresis in DI rats, and although the polyuria and polydipsia were exacerbated, urinary osmolarity did not change over the 12 day observation period. 6. Li increased Ca excretion in both rat types; after 12 days the PRA of DI but not LE animals were increased. 7. It is concluded that the overall renal actions of Li are tempered by vasopressin rather than adrenocorticosteroids.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1976

Effects of adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy on water and electrolyte metabolism in male and female rats with inherited hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro strain).

Observations on water and electrolyte metabolism after hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy, in male and female rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro strain) are confirmed and extended. The diabetic (homozygous, DI) state relative to the non-diabetic (heterozygous, non-DI) state was characterized by (1) water intake of 55-120% body weight; (2) copious urine hypo-osmotic to plasma; (3) greater excretory rates of total solute, Na, Ca and Mg; (4) similar plasma composition except that in male DI rats, K concentration was less, and in female DI rats osmolarity was higher; (5) glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were similar with close correlations between: food and water intakes, water intake and output, urinary Na and K, Na and Cl, K and Cl, and Ca and Mg; (6) both female DI and non-DI rats had lower urinary Na:K ratios and lower plasma Na concentrations than males; (7) female DI rats excreted relatively larger amounts of K and Cl, and had higher plasma Ca concentrations than other groups. Hypophysectomized DI rats had decreased water intake and urine output, decreased solute excretion, decreased loss of osmotically free water, lower excretory rates of Na, K and Cl, and increased urinary osmolarity and K concentrations. Hypophysectomized non-DI rats had increased urinary excretory rates, decreased solute excretion (by 60-70%), decreased osmotically free water absorption, decreased urinary osmolarity, Na and K concentrations, and increased excretory rates of Ca and Mg. Hypophysectomized DI and non-DI rats had increased plasma osmolarity and Na concentration. Plasma renin activities (PRA) were higher in DI than in non-DI rats with female values lower than those of males; values for both sexes of DI and non-DI rats were reduced after hypophysectomy. Adrenalectomized DI rats had about a 50% reduction in water intake, urine output and free water clearance, increased urinary concentration of electrolytes and total solute by day 4 after operation; their Na balance (dietary:urine) did not change significantly in contrast to adrenalectomized non-DI rats in which a greater percentage of dietary Na appeared in the urine. GFR was similarly reduced in adrenalectomized DI and non-DI rats. Plasma osmolarity increased in adrenalectomized male DI, decreased in female DI and non-DI, and did not change in male non-DI rats. Plasma K concentrations increased after adrenalectomy in all groups, only non-DI rats had a significantly decreased plasma Na concentration. There was no sex difference in pituitary oxytocic activity but it was consistently reduced in DI rats; there was little change after adrenalectomy in male DI and non-DI rats; but there was an increase in DI and non-DI females. Pituitaries of DI rats had no measurable ADH activity (except the inherent activity of oxytocin). Pituitary ADH values for male and female non-DI rats were similar and were unaffected by adrenalectomy.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Urotensin I and its N-terminal flanking peptide from the flounder, Platichthys flesus.

The caudal spinal cord region of teleost fish terminates in a neurosecretory organ, the urophysis. Two peptides have been purified to homogeneity from an extract of the urophysis of a teleost fish, the flounder. The primary structure of one peptide, Ser-Glu-Asp-Pro-Pro-Met-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu10-Thr-Phe-His-Met-Leu-Arg- Asn-Met-Ile- His20-Met-Ala-Lys-Met-Glu-Gly-Glu-Arg-Glu-Gln30-Ala-Gln-Ile- Asn-Arg-Asn-Leu-Leu - Asp-Glu40-Val, indicates identity with urotensin I. By analogy with other urotensins, the COOH-terminal residue is probably alpha-amidated. A second peptide was present in the extract in a concentration that was approximately equimolar with that of urotensin I. The amino acid composition of this peptide indicated a total of approximately 65 residues. The amino acid sequence of a fragment produced by digestion with trypsin was established as: Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Gly5-Asp-Ser-Ala-Ala-Ser10-Asp-Leu-Leu-Gly-Asp1 5-Asn-Ile-Leu- Arg. This sequence shows partial homology to carp prepro-urotensin I(41-59)-peptide as deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA. It is concluded that the second peptide probably represents the N-terminal flanking peptide of pro-urotensin I which, it has previously been suggested, may function as a urotensin-binding peptide (urophysin) analogous to the neurophysins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗