Effect of vasopressin on renal kallikrein excretion

In an attempt to investigate a possible interaction between vasopressin and the renal kallikrein-kinin system, renal function and urinary kallikrein excretion were monitored in trained conscious dogs and in anesthetized rats in water diuresis and in vasopressin-induced antidiuresis. Vasopressin elevated urinary kallikrein excretion in a dose-dependent way in both species, with concomitant increases in urinary osmolality and electrolyte excretion. A significant increase in kallikrein excretion was observed with a dose of vasopressin as low as 2 mU . kg-1 . h-1 in the dog and 3 mU . kg-1 . h-1 in the rat without a change in renal hemodynamics. In the rat vasopressin-induced changes in kallikrein excretion were positively correlated with changes in sodium and potassium excretion and negatively correlated with changes in free water clearance. It is concluded that vasopressin over its normal physiological range of concentration stimulates renal kallikrein secretion.