Vasopressin excess: relative contribution of volume retention versus direct actions on renin secretion and sodium excretion.

Three groups of dogs were studied to determine to what extent the suppression of plasma renin activity (PRA), natriuresis, and hyponatremia, seen with chronic elevations of plasma vasopressin (AVP), were caused by volume expansion or some other more direct actions of AVP. The dogs of group 1 (n = 7) were infused with AVP (0.36 ng/kg/min, i.v.) for 2 weeks, while water intake was maintained at a constant level. The dogs of group 2 (n = 6) were permitted to drink ad libitum during AVP infusion. The dogs of group 3 (n = 7) were infused with AVP while total body weight and volume were maintained at a constant level by use of an electronically servocontrolled water infusion system. Group 1, with fixed water intake, retained a large fluid volume (1.4 L), with an associated 36 mm Hg rise in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Associated with this hypertension and increased volume were a suppression of PRA and substantial decreases in plasma sodium concentration with increased excretion of sodium. With ad libitum drinking (group 2), only mild volume expansion occurred, with no significant elevations of MAP or changes in sodium excretion. With a volume expansion of 300-400 ml, there was a significant decrease of PRA and plasma sodium concentration. Group 3, servocontrolled dogs, exhibited no change in MAP, plasma sodium concentration, or PRA throughout the 2-week period of AVP infusion. Sodium excretion was mildly elevated only on the first day of AVP infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)