Contribution of vasopressin to hypertension caused by baroreceptor denervation and nucleus tractus solitarius lesions in rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine, using pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, whether vasopressin contributes to hypertension caused by denervation of baroreceptors, in comparison to the contribution of vasopressin to hypertension caused by nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) lesions. Bilateral baroreceptor denervation caused acute hypertension which was inhibited by intravenous injection of an antagonist of the vasoconstrictor action of vasopressin. Lesions of the NTS also produced an increased in blood pressure which was reduced by the vasopressin antagonist. The magnitude of the antagonist-induced hypotension was significantly greater in NTS hypertension than that in baroreceptor denervation hypertension. It is concluded, that in rats, vasopressin contributes to the neurogenic hypertension caused by baroreceptor denervation and NTS lesions. Thus, it appears that interruption of baroreceptor afferents at the NTS level is responsible for the vasopressin-mediated hypertension caused by NTS lesions but that it is not the only factor involved.