[Osmoregulating reactions following serotonin metabolism inhibition or activation]

Effect of p-chlorphenilalanine and 5-hydroxytriptophan on the urine flow (V), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), free water reabsorption (TCH2O), and sodium fraction excretion (ENa.F%) in Wistar rats loaded with water or 2% sodium chloride solution, was studied. It was found that treatment of rats with inhibitor of serotonin biosynthesis, p-chlorphenilalanine (300 mg/kg, 48 hrs before the experiment) had no effect on the kidney response to the water loading in the experimental rats as compared to the control ones: changes in V, GFR, TCH2O and ENa.F% were the same. Treatment of rats with precursor of serotonin, 5-hydroxytriptophan which is known to increase the serotonin level in the brain (50 mg/kg) simultaneously with the water loading prevented the development of the diuretic reaction because of the high level of TCH2O reflected in the blood vasopressin concentration. Injection of 5-hydroxytriptophan at the maximum level of water diuresis resulted in the sharp increase in TCH2O and drop of the V. 5-hydroxytriptophan had no significant effect on the kidney response to the loading with the 2% sodium chloride solution. Under these conditions, increase in V was produced by suppression of the distal tubular sodium reabsorption, the TCH2O remaining at the high level. It is suggested that the brain serotonin manifested a significant stimulating effect on the vasopressin release from the neurohypophysis, but it is not involved in the mechanisms of suppression of its release into the blood. Serotonin seems not to interact with brain mechanisms regulating natriuretic function of the kidney.