Interrelations between vasopressin and the renin-angiotensin system

The interrelationships between vasopressin and the renin-angiotensin system are reviewed. Vasopressin can inhibit the release of renin by the kidney. This effect can occur at physiological plasma concentrations of vasopressin. Centrally administered angiotensin II can stimulate the release of vasopressin, a response that may be partially mediated by brain prostaglandins. The significance of this action of angiotensin II depends on whether there is an effective brain renin-angiotensin system and on whether peripherally generated or administered angiotensin can reach sites in the brain where it can act on vasopressin release. Peripherally administered angiotensin II can under certain, but not all, conditions stimulate vasopressin release. Peripheral angiotensin II can also potentiate the vasopressin response to an osmotic stimulus and to dehydration, but has little effect the release of vasopressin and renin, there is a failure to demonstrate any correlation between the two. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system fails to modify the vasopressin response to a reduction in blood volume. In conclusion, the physiological significance of the interactions between the vasopressin and the renin-angiotensin system is not as yet clearly established.