Vasopressin Regulation and Renal Fluid and Electrolyte Handling in Rat Models of Acute and Chronic Alcohol Exposure
Abstract
Despite evidence of impaired renal fluid handling, hyponatremia, and water retention in chronic alcohol exposure and during withdrawal, the renal mechanisms involved and the role of altered vasopressin action in the kidney have not been elucidated. We have shown that the efficacy of endogenous vasopressin on the kidney and resultant changes in renal water excretion is differentially altered in the different phases of alcohol exposure. Rats acutely exposed to alcohol exhibit an increased water diuresis in response to a water load whereas rats chronically exposed to alcohol exhibit an impaired ability to excrete a water load. We have %further demonstrated that this impaired ability to excrete a water load in chronic alcohol exposure occurs under conditions of an increased renal sensitivity to vasopressin as demonstrated by suppressed diuretic efficacy of a V2 antagonist. Thus, our results to date have provided evidence of water imbalance with alcohol exposure that is likely due to altered function or numbers of vasopressin receptors, specifically renal V2 receptors, involved with tubular water reabsorption. Additionally, preliminary examination of the relationship between vasopressin pituitary and blood content indicates there is an uncoupling of the regulation of vasopressin release and circulating levels with alcohol exposure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398255
Entities
People
- Catherine F. Uyehara
Organizations
- Tripler Army Medical Center