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Effects of arginine vasopressin and 1-desamino-8-D arginine vasopressin on forearm vasculature of healthy subjects and patients with a V2 receptor defect.

OBJECTIVES: To assess which vasopressin receptor subtype mediates the vasodilation occurring in response to arginine vasopressin and 1-desamino-8-D (DD)-arginine vasopressin and whether nitric oxide is involved in these effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vasoactive effects of arginine vasopressin and DD-arginine vasopressin on forearm vasculature were studied in healthy subjects and in patients with congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with a vasopressin type 2 (V2) receptor gene defect. Venous occlusion plethysmography was used to assess the forearm blood flow responses to the infusion of arginine vasopressin and its analogue into the brachial artery, in the presence and the absence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA). RESULTS: In healthy subjects (n =10), DD-arginine vasopressin (0.1, 1 and 10 or 5, 10 and 20 ng/min per dl) induced a dose-related increase in forearm blood flow, but did not affect forearm blood flow in the patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (n = 3). In two healthy subjects, seven increasing doses of arginine vasopressin (0.25-12 ng/min per dl) induced an initial decrease in forearm blood flow and then a gradual increase. In one of the patients, the same arginine vasopressin doses produced a persistent decrease in forearm blood flow. In the healthy subjects, infusion of L-NMMA reduced forearm blood flow significantly (n = 10). Subsequent administration of DD-arginine vasopressin during L-NMMA infusion produced a slight reduction in the forearm blood flow increase compared with DD-arginine vasopressin alone, but this was significant only for the absolute forearm blood flow increase induced by 10 ng/min per dl in all subjects. Infusion of arginine vasopressin in the presence of L-NMMA did not increase forearm blood flow significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In human forearm vasculature, extrarenal V2 receptors mediate the vasodilation induced by DD-arginine vasopressin or high doses of arginine vasopressin, whereas these receptors are not necessary for arginine vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction. The DD-arginine vasopressin-induced vasodilation seems to be mediated predominantly by a mechanism other than endothelial nitric oxide release, whereas arginine vasopressin-induced vasodilation seems to involve nitric oxide release only.

Adult↗

Effects of changes in steady state plasma vasopressin levels on renal and urinary vasopressin clearances in the dog.

A study was made of the effects of changes in the plasma vasopressin concentration on the extraction ratio and the renal organ and urinary clearances of vasopressin. Plasma vasopressin levels were increased in a stepwise fashion in anesthetized dogs by the iv infusion of vasopressin at rates of 100, 400, and 800 microU/min . kg. A steady state was achieved by infusing vasopressin for 60 min at each dose. Before the infusion of vasopressin, the extraction ratio and the renal and urinary clearances of vasopressin (one kidney) were 0.30 +/- 0.04, 1.8 +/- 0.2, and 1.4 +/- 0.1 ml/min . kg, respectively. The urinary clearance of vasopressin did not differ significantly from the inulin clearance (1.5 +/- 0.1 ml/min . kg). The infusion of vasopressin, which increased the plasma vasopressin concentration from an initial value of 4.3 +/- 1.3 to 54.6 +/- 2.4 microU/ml at the highest rate of infusion, was without effect on the vasopressin extraction ratio and the renal and urinary clearances of vasopressin. The MCR of vasopressin was estimated to be approximately 16 ml/min . kg. The renal clearance of vasopressin, calculated for both kidneys in all periods of all experiments, accounted for approximately 27% of the total clearance of vasopressin from the plasma. Thus, over a broad range of plasma vasopressin concentrations, a constant fraction of the vasopressin delivered to the kidney was removed from the blood perfusing the kidney, and the mechanisms for the renal extraction of vasopressin were not saturated.

Animals↗

Effects of various mutations in the neurophysin/glycopeptide portion of the vasopressin gene on vasopressin expression in vitro.

The vasopressin gene encodes three polypeptides besides the signal peptide: vasopressin, neurophysin II (neurophysin), and the carboxy-terminal glycopeptide (glycopeptide). Although the function of vasopressin is well characterized, those of the latter two are not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of various mutations within the neurophysin/glycopeptide portion of the vasopressin gene on vasopressin secretion in vitro, to clarify the role of each peptide in vasopressin biosynthesis. Expression vectors containing the vasopressin gene, either wild-type or various mutants, were transiently transfected into AtT20 cells, which are known to have the enzymes necessary for the proper processing of the vasopressin precursor protein. The amount of vasopressin secreted into the culture medium was estimated by specific radioimmunoassay. Variable degrees of decreased vasopressin secretion were observed with mutant vasopressin genes harboring deletions or amino acid substitutions in neurophysin. The naturally-occurring frame-shift mutation in the hereditary diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro) rat completely eliminated vasopressin expression. In contrast, a missense mutation found in patients with familial neurogenic diabetes insipidus only partially decreased vasopressin secretion. Finally, the mutant vasopressin gene lacking the N-linked glycosylation site in glycopeptide had no effect on vasopressin expression. Our data suggest that 1) intact neurophysin is not indispensable for vasopressin expression, although an altered structure of neurophysin significantly affects the secretion of the hormone; 2) the pathogenesis of diabetes insipidus with the two naturally-occurring mutations found in the rat (Brattleboro rat) and human (familial central diabetes insipidus) seem to be different; and 3) glycosylation of the carboxy-terminal glycopeptide is not essential for the expression of vasopressin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cAMP stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release and regulation of vasopressin mRNA stability: role of auto-facilitation.

The effects of cycloheximide and actinomycin on 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) stimulated vasopressin and oxytocin release from the posterior pituitary and vasopressin mRNA content of the supraoptic nucleus were studied with perifused explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system. 8-Br-cAMP stimulated vasopressin and oxytocin release from the explant for up to 6 h. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide completely suppressed the response to 8-Br-cAMP. When gene transcription was inhibited by actinomycin, vasopressin release was stimulated by 8-Br-cAMP for approximately 2 h, but the response was not sustained. Vasopressin mRNA content was not changed by 8-Br-cAMP in the absence or presence of cycloheximide, but it was significantly decreased by simultaneous exposure to 8-Br-cAMP and actinomycin. Actinomycin alone did not change vasopressin mRNA content. Since other studies have demonstrated that cAMP stimulates vasopressin gene transcription, and since vasopressin mRNA content reflects the balance between gene transcription and mRNA degradation, the effect of actinomycin and 8-Br-cAMP on vasopressin mRNA content suggests that 8-Br-cAMP also decreased vasopressin mRNA stability and thereby induced a rapid turnover of vasopressin mRNA. The effects of cycloheximide and actinomycin on vasopressin and oxytocin release suggest that ongoing protein synthesis is required for stimulation of hormone release. Since the posterior pituitary hormone stores are not depleted with a stimulus for release that is even more potent than cAMP, it is possible that cycloheximide and actinomycin depleted smaller pools of the peptides such as those responsible for intranuclear vasopressin and oxytocin release. Further evidence that intranuclear release of vasopressin and oxytocin is a prerequisite for cAMP stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release was obtained by demonstrating that d(CH2)5-D-Tyr(Me)VAVP, a potent combined V1a/V2/oxytocin receptor antagonist blocked stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release by 8-Br-cAMP.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Inhibition of the vasopressin-enhancing effect on memory retrieval and relearning by a vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist in mice.

We have previously shown that [Arg8]vasopressin bilaterally administered into the ventral hippocampus of mice at a dose of 0.025 ng/animal 10 min prior to the retention session, improved long-term retrieval processes and relearning of a Go-No-Go visual discrimination task. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, -beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1, O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)vasopressin), is able to block the behavioral effect of arginine-vasopressin in the ventral hippocampus. We first tested the effect of three doses of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)vasopressin (0.025, 1, and 6.3 ng/animal) in the same experimental conditions as used for arginine-vasopressin. The results showed a dose-dependent deleterious effect of the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist on retrieval and relearning, suggesting the involvement of endogenous arginine-vasopressin in the ventral hippocampus for these memory processes. Second, we tested the ability of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)vasopressin to block the enhancing effect of experimentally administered arginine-vasopressin. The antagonist was injected at a dose of 0.025 ng, which had no intrinsic effect on behavior, or at a dose of 1 ng, which had a weak deleterious effect on behavior, followed by administration of 0.025 ng of arginine-vasopressin. The results showed that even at the weakest dose (0.025 ng), d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)vasopressin blocked the enhancing effect of arginine-vasopressin on retrieval and relearning. Thus, as for other behaviors and structures, the antagonist microinjected into the ventral hippocampus prevents the enhancing effect of arginine-vasopressin on long-term retrieval and relearning. However, the exclusive involvement of the vasopressin V1 receptors remain to demonstrate vis-a-vis oxytocin receptors.

Animals↗

Differential increase in Fos immunoreactivity in hypothalamic and septal nuclei by arginine8-vasopressin and desglycinamide9-arginine8-vasopressin.

Subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular injection of either arginine8-vasopressin or desglycinamide9-arginine8-vasopressin has been shown to facilitate memory, reduce or reverse the effects of amnesic drugs, and maintain tolerance to some effects of ethanol. These actions of vasopressin (and, by inference, of desglycinamide9-arginine8-vasopressin) are mediated by vasopressin V1 receptors in brain, via a c-fos-dependent mechanism, but the receptors at which the desglycinamide analog acts have not been identified. The precise central sites are also not known, but evidence of several types suggested the anterior hypothalamus and septum as probable loci of vasopressin action. In the present work, this question was studied by immunocytochemistry, using antibodies against Fos and Fos-like proteins. The numbers of Fos-immunoreactive nuclei were counted in several related brain regions and structures, after administration of arginine8-vasopressin, des-Gly9-[Arg8]-vasopressin or saline. A subcutaneous injection of vasopressin, but not of saline, enhanced Fos expression in the paraventricular, supraoptic and suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, but the desglycinamide analog stimulated Fos expression only in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Vasopressin injection significantly increased the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the intermediate lateral septum, medial septum, and dorsal and ventral divisions of the lateral septum. In contrast, the desglycinamide analog increased the numbers of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the dorsal and intermediate portions of the lateral septum, but caused no change in the medial septum, and a decrease in the ventral portion of the lateral septum. Increased Fos expression was also found in the subfornical organ after subcutaneous injection of either vasopressin or the desglycinamide analog. Double labeling with antibodies against Fos protein and against vasopressin revealed that most of the vasopressin-induced Fos-immunoreactive cells in the supraoptic, paraventricular and suprachiasmatic hypothalamic nuclei are also vasopressin immunoreactive, i.e. they are vasopressin-producing neurons. These findings suggest that a circuit involving V1 receptors in the subfornical organ, connecting fibres to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and vasopressinergic projections from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the lateral septum, may play a central role in mediating the actions of both vasopressin and its desglycinamide analog in the maintenance of ethanol tolerance.

Animals↗

Synthetic rat V1a vasopressin receptor fragments interfere with vasopressin binding via specific interaction with the receptor.

To study the vasopressin receptor domains involved in the hormonal binding, we synthesized natural and modified fragments of V1a vasopressin receptor and tested their abilities to affect hormone-receptor interactions. Natural fragments mimicking the external loops one, two, and three were able to inhibit specific vasopressin binding to V1a receptor. In contrast, the natural N-terminal part of the V1a vasopressin receptor was found inactive. One fragment, derived from the external second loop and containing an additional C-terminal cysteine amide, was able to fully inhibit the specific binding of both labeled vasopressin agonist and antagonist to rat liver V1a vasopressin receptor and the vasopressin-sensitive phospholipase C of WRK1 cells. The peptide-mediated inhibition involved specific interactions between the V1a receptor and synthetic V1a vasopressin receptor fragment since 1) it was dependent upon the vasopressin receptor subtype tested (Ki(app) for the peptide: 3.7, 14.6, and 64.5 microM for displacing [3H]vasopressin from rat V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors, respectively; 2) it was specific and did not affect sarcosin 1-angiotensin II binding to rat liver membranes; 3) it was not mimicked by vasopressin receptor unrelated peptides exhibiting putative detergent properties; and 4) no direct interaction between [3H]vasopressin and synthetic peptide linked to an affinity chromatography column could be observed. Such an inhibition affected both the maximal binding capacity of the V1a vasopressin receptor and its affinity for the labeled hormone, depending upon the dose of synthetic peptide used and was partially irreversible. Structure-activity studies using a serie of synthetic fragments revealed the importance of their size and cysteinyl composition. These data indicate that some peptides mimicking extracellular loops of the V1a vasopressin receptor may interact with the vasopressin receptor itself and modify its coupling with phospholipase C.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗

Vasopressin V2 receptor binding is down-regulated during renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis.

This study evaluated whether renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis is associated with alterations of vasopressin V2 receptor binding in the kidney inner medulla. A radioligand binding assay was developed using a novel iodinated vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist to analyze vasopressin V2 receptor binding in kidney inner medullary tissue from three groups of rats: normal rats maintained on ad libitum water intake, rats treated with 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine]vasopressin (DDAVP), and rats treated with DDAVP that were also water loaded to induce renal escape from antidiuresis. Analysis of the binding data showed that DDAVP treatment reduced vasopressin V2 receptor binding to 72% of normal levels. Water loading induced a marked further down-regulation of vasopressin V2 receptor binding. This receptor down-regulation began by day 2 of water loading, which correlated with the initiation of renal vasopressin escape; by day 3 of water loading, vasopressin V2 receptor expression fell to 43% of DDAVP-treated levels. No differences in vasopressin V2 receptor binding affinities were found among the three groups. This study demonstrates that vasopressin V2 receptor binding capacity is down-regulated during renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis and suggests that both vasopressin-dependent mechanisms as well as vasopressin-independent mechanisms associated with water loading are involved in this receptor down-regulation.

Animals↗

Ameliorative effect of vasopressin-(4-9) through vasopressin V(1A) receptor on scopolamine-induced impairments of rat spatial memory in the eight-arm radial maze.

In order to clarify the mechanism by which pGlu-Asn-Cys(Cys)-Pro-Arg-Gly-NH(2) (vasopressin-(4-9)), a major metabolite C-terminal fragment of [Arg(8)]-vasopressin (vasopressin-(1-9)), improves learning and memory, we used several different drugs such as an acetylcholine receptor antagonist, a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor, vasopressin receptor antagonists and L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker to disrupt spatial memory in rats. Moreover, we examined the effect of vasopressin-(4-9) on acetylcholine release in the ventral hippocampus using microdialysis. Vasopressin-(4-9) (10 fg/brain, i.c.v.) improved the impairment of spatial memory in the eight-arm radial maze induced by scopolamine, pirenzepine and Ca(2+)/calmodulin -dependent protein kinase II inhibitor. Pirenzepine, a vasopressin V(1A) receptor antagonist, and L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, but not a vasopressin V(2) receptor antagonist, suppressed the effects of vasopressin-(4-9) on scopolamine-induced impairment of spatial memory. Moreover, vasopressin-(4-9) did not affect acetylcholine release in the ventral hippocampus of intact rats or of scopolamine-treated rats as assessed by microdialysis. These results suggest that vasopressin-(4-9) activates vasopressin V(1A) receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of cholinergic neurons, and induces a transient influx of intracellular Ca(2+) through L-type Ca(2+) channels to interact with muscarinic M(1) receptors. The activation of these processes by vasopressin-(4-9) is critically involved in the positive effect of vasopressin-(4-9) on scopolamine-induced impairment of spatial memory.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Lack of effect of a selective vasopressin V1A receptor antagonist SR 49,059, on potentiation by vasopressin of adrenoceptor-mediated pressor responses in the rat mesenteric arterial bed.

The vasopressin receptor subtype involved in the enhancement by vasopressin of adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction was investigated in rat isolated perfused mesenteric arteries. [Arg8]vasopressin (1-10 nM) dose-dependently increased the perfusion pressure and enhanced the pressor response to the adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine (40 nmol) or electrical stimulation of periarterial nerves (16 Hz), at the concentration of 10 nM of [Arg8]vasopressin up to 4 and 3 fold, respectively. During prolonged exposure (45 min) the direct vasoconstrictor effect of [Arg8]vasopressin (10 nM) rapidly declined whereas the potentiation of methoxamine-induced vasoconstriction was maintained. The selective vasopressin V1A receptor antagonist SR 49,059 (1-3 nM) and the non-selective V1A/B and oxytocin receptor antagonist [deamino-Pen1,Tyr(Me)2,Arg8]vasopressin (15-45 nM) inhibited the direct vasoconstrictor action of [Arg8]vasopressin but had no effect on the enhancement of the pressor response to methoxamine or electrical stimulation. The V1B receptor agonist [deamino-Cys1,beta-(3-pyridyl)-D-Ala2,Arg8]vasopressin (100-1000 nM) and the V2 receptor agonist [deamino-Cys1,D-Arg8]vasopressin (1-10 nM) were devoid of any pressor activity and did not potentiate methoxamine-evoked vasoconstriction. In contrast, [1-triglycyl,Lys8]vasopressin (100 - 1000 nM) potentiated the methoxamine responses without per se inducing vasoconstriction. In arteries precontracted with methoxamine (7.5 microM) pressor responses to [Arg8]vasopressin (3-10 nM) were not inhibited by a dose of SR 49,059 (3 nM) which abolished the peptide's vasoconstrictor effect under control conditions. These data show that the direct vasoconstrictor effect of [Arg8]vasopressin is mediated by V1A receptors while the enhancement of adrenoceptor-mediated pressor responses is insensitive to V1A, V1B, and oxytocin receptor antagonists and is not mimicked by selective agonists of V1B and V2 receptors. In conclusion, an unusual interaction of vasopressin with V1A receptors, or even the existence of a novel receptor subtype, has to be considered.

Animals↗

Activation of multiple intracellular transduction signals by vasopressin in vasopressin-sensitive neurones of the rat supraoptic nucleus.

1. The intracellular mechanisms activated by the binding of vasopressin to its receptor(s) and which result in the increase of [Ca2+]i were investigated in freshly dissociated supraoptic nucleus neurones. Various pharmacological agents were used to investigate the possible involvement of phospholipase C (PLC) and adenylate cyclase (AC) intracellular pathways in the transduction of the vasopressin action. 2. Both the PLC inhibitor U-73122 and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C, reduced the [Ca2+]i rise elicited by vasopressin. The cAMP analogue, 8-Br-cAMP produced an increase in [Ca2+]i and IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, potentiated the response to vasopressin. 3. After pre-incubation with the AC inhibitor SQ-22536, 7 out of 18 vasopressin-sensitive neurones showed no inhibition of the vasopressin response, while the response to vasopressin was reduced by greater than 35 % in each of the other 11 neurones. 4. The activation of protein kinase A (PKA) with Sp-cAMPS caused an increase in [Ca2+]i which was additive to the vasopressin-elicited [Ca2+]i increase. After incubation with the PKA inhibitors Rp-cAMPS or H-89, the [Ca2+]i responses triggered by Sp-cAMPS and vasopressin were, respectively, abolished and greatly reduced. 5. A combined administration of SQ-22536 (AC inhibitor) followed by U-73122 (PLC inhibitor), or U-73122 followed by H-89 (PKA inhibitor), virtually abolished the response to vasopressin. 6. In vasopressin-responsive neurones, the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) induced a [Ca2+]i increase similar to the response to vasopressin and in both cases the increase was inhibited to the same extent by a combination of U-73122 and Rp-cAMPS. 7. In conclusion, we suggest that the autoregulation exerted specifically by vasopressin on vasopressin-sensitive neurones involves the activation of both PLC- and AC-linked pathways.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Nitric oxide, but not vasopressin V2 receptor-mediated vasodilation, modulates vasopressin-induced renal vasoconstriction in rats.

The renal vascular response to vasopressin and its modulation were evaluated in vivo by infusing the peptide directly into the renal artery of anaesthetized rats. The intra-renal artery (i.r.a) infusion of vasopressin induced a dose-dependent decrease in renal blood flow. Vasoconstriction was obvious at a dose of 3 ng/kg per min and reached a maximum at 100 ng/kg per min. The dose required for a half-maximal response (ED50) was 24+/-4 ng/kg per min (mean+/-SEM, n=8), corresponding to an estimated concentration in renal arterial blood required for a half-maximal response (EC50) of 1.9+/-0.6 nM. Thiobutabarbitone anaesthesia markedly increased plasma vasopressin concentration. This increase was prevented partially by hypotonic hydration of the rats without any change in the renal vascular response to exogenous vasopressin. Vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction dose/response curves were similar in homozygous and heterozygous Brattleboro rats. Infusion of desmopressin (1-1000 ng/kg per min, i.r.a.), a vasopressin V2 receptor-selective agonist, failed to induce renal vasodilation or vasoconstriction. In the presence of SR 49059 (1 mg/kg i.v.), a vasopressin V1A receptor antagonist that completely abolished the vasopressin-induced renal vasoconstriction, desmopressin again failed to induce vasodilation. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 microg/kg for 10 min and 7.5 microg/kg per min, i.r.a.) enhanced vasopressin-induced renal vasoconstriction (EC50 0.6+/-0.1 nM, P<0.05). In contrast, cyclooxygenase blockade by indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.v.) neither modified the vasopressin-induced decrease in renal blood flow nor altered the potentiation of vasoconstriction by L-NNA. These results show that the constrictor response of the rat renal vascular bed in vivo is observed only with high local concentrations of vasopressin. This hyporeactivity in vivo was not explained by an anaesthesia-elicited increase in endogenous vasopressin, nor by a modulatory effect linked to V2 receptor activation or prostanoid release. In contrast, NO release contributed to the attenuation of vasopressin-induced renal vasoconstriction.

Anesthesia↗

Vasopressin and vasopressin-receptor immunoreactivity in small-cell lung carcinoma (SCCL) cell lines: disruption in the activation cascade of V1a-receptors in variant SCCL.

Four classical and three variant small-cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) cell lines were examined for vasopressin and vasopressin V1a-receptor immunoreactivity. One of these classical cell lines, NCI-H345, and one variant cell line, NCI-H82, were further investigated for binding of V1 and V2 vasopressin-receptor antagonists, vasopressin-induced calcium mobilization, and vasopressin-induced thymidine uptake. All classical and variant SCCL cell lines examined contained vasopressin and vasopressin-receptors as determined by immunocytochemistry. Both NCI-H82 and NCI-H345 demonstrated similar binding patterns with the V1 and V2 vasopressin-receptor antagonists, indicating the presence of both receptor subtypes. For the classical cell line (NCI-H345), vasopressin (1 microM) induced an increase in cytosolic free calcium, while the peptide was ineffective at increasing cytosolic calcium in the variant cell line (NCI-H82). However, vasopressin (0.1 or 1 microM) was unable to stimulate thymidine uptake in the classical (NCI-H345) or variant (NCI-H82) cell lines for the conditions used. These results indicate that both classical and variant SCCL produce vasopressin, and vasopressin V1a and V2 receptors. In the variant cell line, there appears to be a disruption in the activation cascade for V1a receptors as indicated by the lack of vasopressin-induced calcium mobilization.

Calcimycin↗

Platelet and plasma vasopressin in dog during hydration and vasopressin infusion.

Dog platelets contain a substance immunologically similar to arginine vasopressin. In conscious and anesthetized dogs under basal conditions, platelet immunoreactive vasopressin accounts for approximately 40% of the total circulating immunoreactive vasopressin. When the plasma vasopressin concentration in the anesthetized dog was lowered 75% by intravenous infusion of isotonic dextrose solution for 2 h, the platelets failed to discharge a significant quantity of immunoreactive vasopressin. Subsequently, when the plasma vasopressin concentration was elevated to a level 10-fold greater than the initial levels by intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin, there was no statistically significant increase in the estimated platelet vasopressin content measured 1 and 2 h after the start of the infusion, although there was the suggestion that the platelets had indeed taken up some vasopressin after 2 h of vasopressin infusion. Thus immunoreactive vasopressin in dog platelets does not appear to exchange readily with plasma vasopressin. The physiological role of platelet immunoreactive vasopressin remains to be determined.

Animals↗

Cerebral vasoconstriction produced by vasopressin in conscious goats: role of vasopressin V(1) and V(2) receptors and nitric oxide.

To examine the role of vasopressin V(1) and V(2) receptors, nitric oxide and prostanoids in the cerebrovascular effects of arginine vasopressin, cerebral blood flow was electromagnetically measured in awake goats. In 16 animals, vasopressin (0.03 - 1 microg), injected into the cerebral circulation, caused increments of resting cerebrovascular resistance which ranged from 18% (0.03 microg, P<0.01) to 79% (1 microg, P<0.01). Desmopressin (0.03 - 1 microg, four goats) did not affect significantly cerebrovascular resistance. The cerebrovascular resistance increases by vasopressin were reduced significantly by the antagonist for vasopressin V(1) receptors d(CH(2))(5)Tyr(Me)-AVP in a rate depending way (five (six goats) and 15 (four goats) microg min(-1)), and by the mixed antagonist for vasopressin V(1) and V(2) receptors desGly-d(CH(2))(5)-D-Tyr(Et)Val-AVP (5 microg min(-1), four goats), and they were not significantly affected by the antagonist for vasopressin V(2) receptors d(CH(2))(5), D-Ile(2), Ile(4)-AVP (5 microg min(-1), four goats). The inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 47 mg kg(-1) i.v., five goats) augmented cerebrovascular resistance by 130% (P<0.01), and for 24 h after this treatment the cerebrovascular effects of vasopressin were potentiated. The inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase meclofenamate (6 mg kg(-1) i.v., five goats) did not modify significantly resting haemodynamic variables measured or the cerebrovascular effects of vasopressin. Therefore, the vasopressin-induced cerebral vasoconstriction may be mediated by vasopressin V(1) receptors, without involvement of vasopressin V(2) receptors, and may be modulated by nitric oxide but not by prostanoids.

Animals↗

Differences in the effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on feline gastric corpus motility: selective action of vasopressin on longitudinal muscle.

The effect of vasopressin and oxytocin on the contractile activity of preparations isolated from the feline gastric corpus wall was investigated. Vasopressin (1.5 x 10(-9)-2.1 x 10(-7) M), but not oxytocin, evoked concentration-dependent tonic contractions only of longitudinal muscle strips. At the same time, vasopressin (1.5 x 10(-9)-2.1 x 10(-7) M) potentiated the magnitude of amplitudes, but not the frequency, of spontaneous contractions. Both the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5-(Me)2-Tyr-AVP and the predominantly vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5, D-Ile2, Ile4-AVP, the non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine, the predominantly selective muscarinic M1 receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, the predominantly selective muscarinic M2 antagonist, methoctramine, the predominantly selective muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist, para-fluoro-hexahydro-siladifenidol, and the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, but not the ganglion blocking agent, mecamylamine, depressed or blocked the tonic contractions induced by vasopressin. Among the antagonists, only atropine and nifedipine inhibited the spontaneous contractions. On the other hand, the anticholinesterase, physostigmine, potentiated both the vasopressin-induced tonic and spontaneous contractions. With regard to the receptors, the vasopressin-induced tonic contractions are mediated at least in part through vasopressin V1 and V2 receptors, non-selective muscarinic and selective muscarinic M1, M2 and M3 receptors. The increase in amplitudes of spontaneous contractions is mediated only via-nonselective muscarinic receptors. Vasopressin receptors appear to be located mostly pre-synaptically, although the direct effect of vasopressin on post-synaptic receptors cannot be excluded. The pA2 values suggests rather V1a than V1b vasopressin receptor subtype involvement in tonic contractions vasopressin had produced. The tonic as well as spontaneous contractions are calcium-dependent. In addition, these results point to the existence of non-selective muscarinic receptors, which participate in the regulation of both tonic and spontaneous contractions, while muscarinic M1, M2 and M3 receptors subserve only the tonic contractions.

Animals↗

Long-term reduction of vasopressin excretion induced by the central injection of an immunoconjugate (antibody to vasopressin linked to ricin A chain).

We have previously demonstrated that vasopressin-producing neurons are the target of monoclonal antibodies to vasopressin microinjected into the brain tissue. At the same time, this central microinjection of vasopressin-monoclonal antibody into the supraoptic nuclei produced hydro-osmotic disorders mimicking the effects of a central diabetes insipidus. In order to investigate the increase in both duration and amplitude of the biological effects seen after the injection of vasopressin-monoclonal antibody, an immunoconjugate was constructed with the vasopressin-monoclonal antibody IgG1k isotype and the cytotoxic part of the ricin molecule, the ricin A chain. The biological parameters, such as diuresis and urine osmolality which are directly regulated by vasopressin, and vasopressin excretion, were measured after the central injection of this immunotoxin/immunoconjugate. The consequences of immunotoxin injection were also studied when immunotoxin was co-injected with monensin (50 nM) which has been shown to decrease the intracellular degradation of immunotoxin, and plasma complement, which has been shown to increase the neuronal uptake of immunotoxin. Single injection of immunotoxin near the hypothalamic supraoptic nuclei significantly increased diuresis and decreased vasopressin excretion. However, these effects were only transient and disappeared 24 h later. Four successive injections of immunotoxin (one per day) with monensin induced a decrease of vasopressin excretion which was still observed after a resting period of four days after the fourth injection. The long-term reduction of vasopressin excretion was induced in rats receiving four successive injections of a mixture consisting of immunotoxin with monensin and plasma complement. In such experiments, the vasopressin content of urine remained low (55% under the baseline value), two weeks after the fourth injection of immunotoxin. At the same time, the diuresis was increased (80% above the baseline value) and urine osmolality lowered (45% under the baseline value). When non-specific IgG replaced specific antibody, vasopressin excretion, diuresis as well as urine osmolality were unchanged. The results of this study demonstrated that the use of a specific immunotoxin results in a local interference with the vasopressinergic neurons and induces a long-term reduction of vasopressin secretion.

Animals↗