Substance P injected into the medial preoptic area inhibits sodium, potassium and water urinary excretion. Putative modulation of the cholinergic system.

Substance P (SP, 1.5 nmol) injected into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of conscious, unrestrained, water-loaded male rats induced a significant decrease in urinary sodium, potassium and water excretion. In contrast, a significant natriuretic effect was observed after injection of 0.3 nmol of a specific competitive SP antagonist [( D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]-substance P). SP partially blocked the carbachol-induced natriuresis in a time-dependent manner. These data indicate a tonic inhibitory action of SP on sodium excretion and suggest a putative modulatory action of SP on the cholinergic system.