Vasopressin and the concentrating mechanism

The role of vasopressin in the kidney has classically been considered to result from its ability to increase water permeability in the collecting duct. Recent data, however, suggest that the hormone may also promote urinary concentration by increasing interstitial tonicity. The mechanisms whereby vasopressin could enhance interstitial tonicity include increasing urea permeability in the inner medullary collecting tubule, stimulation of solute reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, increasing the glomerular filtration rate of juxtamedullary nephrons, and decreasing vasa recta blood flow. We review experiments directed at assessing the role of vasopressin in these four processes. The multitude of effects of vasopressin appears to be well integrated and contributes to the tightly regulated urinary concentration mechanisms.