Water intake, thirst, and copeptin responses to two dehydrating stimuli in lean men and men with obesity

Physiological systems responsible for water homeostasis and energy metabolism are interconnected. This study hypothesized altered responses to dehydration including thirst, ad libitum water intake, and copeptin in men with obesity.

Forty-two men (22 lean and 20 with obesity) were stimulated by a 2-hour hypertonic saline infusion and a 24-hour water deprivation. In each dehydrating condition, thirst, ad libitum water intake after dehydration, and urinary and hormonal responses including copeptin were assessed.

After each dehydration condition, ad libitum water intake was similar between both groups (p > 0.05); however, those with obesity reported feeling less thirsty (p < 0.05) and had decreased copeptin response and higher urinary sodium concentrations when stressed (p < 0.05). Angiotensin II, aldosterone, atrial and brain natriuretic peptides, and apelin concentrations did not differ by adiposity group and did not explain the different thirst or copeptin responses in men with obesity. However, leptin was associated with copeptin response in lean individuals during the hypertonic saline infusion (p < 0.05), but the relationship was diminished in those with obesity.

Diminished thirst and copeptin responses are part of the obesity phenotype and may be influenced by leptin. Adiposity may impact pathways regulating thirst and vasopressin release, warranting further investigation.