Vasopressin and cardiovascular system in aging.

The studies concerned age-dependent peculiarities of the vasopressin effect on the hemodynamics and tone of the coronary vessels in dogs, the contraction of the isolated vascular strip in rats, and the hemodynamic and ECG indices in rabbits and in rats. The data obtained indicate the great sensitivity of old vessels to vasopressin. In aging, both humans and animals show a rise of vasopressin concentration in the blood. Age-dependent differences of the vasopressin effect on the kallikrein-kinin system, adenosine metabolism, the contents of prostaglandins and cyclic AMP have been established. High sensitivity to vasopressin in combination with its increased concentration in the blood is an important factor that contributes to the development of arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease.