Naloxone inhibits renal hemodynamic effect of head-out water immersion in humans

Head-out water immersion (HOI) is followed by renal vasodilation and natriuresis, in association with a fall in blood pressure. The latter suggests an exaggerated sympathetic suppression. We studied the role of endogenous opioids on the renal response to HOI. Six healthy subjects underwent four- hour clearance studies during: (1) time control; (2) naloxone 0.1 mg/kg i.v. bolus, followed by 0.1 mg/kg/hr; (3) HOI; and (4) concomitant HOI and naloxone administration. Compared to the time control study, naloxone had no effects on mean arterial pressure (MAP), plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, catecholamines, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated renal plasma flow (ERPF), and sodium excretion. HOI caused significant decrements of MAP, PRA, aldosterone, and catecholamines, and increased ANP, GFR, from 94 +/- 5 to 102 +/- 5 ml/min (P < 0.01), ERPF, from 529 +/- 30 to 616 +/- 35 ml/min (P < 0.01), and sodium excretion. Renal blood flow increased as well, and calculated renal vascular resistance decreased from 99 +/- 6 to 77 +/- 5 mm Hg.min.liter-1 (P < 0.01). HOI during concomitant naloxone administration had similar effects on MAP and humoral factors, however, caused no change in GFR, ERPF and renal blood flow, and the fall in renal vascular resistance, from 98 +/- 6 to 83 +/- 5 mm Hg.min.liter-1 (P < 0.05) was significantly less than found in the absence of naloxone (P < 0.05). The natriuretic effect was undisturbed. These data suggest that endogenous opioids play a role in the response to HOI, in particular, potentiate the renal vasodilatory response.