Hypertension in dogs during antidiuretic hormone and hypotonic saline infusion

Experimental hypertension was produced in 7 dogs by continuously infusing suppressor amounts of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and hypotonic saline after renal mass had been surgically reduced to 30% of normal. Data were collected during 9 days of control measurements, 14 days of ADH and saline infusion, and then 3 days of saline infusion to 1) determine the chronic effects of ADH on arterial pressure and 2) determine whether hypertension could be maintained during hyponatremia. During the period of ADH infusion, arterial pressure increased to hypertensive levels while plasma sodium concentration decreased almost 20 meq/1. Also, during the ADH infusion period, the dogs demonstrated decreases in heart rate, plasm potassium concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone concentration. Fluid volume expansion was evidenced by sustained increases in blood volume and sodium space. We conclude that when renal function is compromised, subpressor amounts of ADH can contribute to the development of hypertension, probably due to its fluid-retaining properties and in spite of the attendant hyponatremia.