Vasopressin inhibits calcium-coupled sodium efflux system in rat brain

Centrally released vasopressin plays an important role in the regulation of brain water and electrolyte composition and can affect brain intracellular pH and ATP synthesis in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the effects of [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, an important pathway in the regulation of cell Ca2+ concentration. It was found that AVP inhibited the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in rat brain synaptosomes. This effect was completely blocked by the vasopressin V1-receptor antagonist d(CH2)5[(O-Me) Tyr2, Arg8]vasopressin. In addition, the vasopressin V2-receptor agonist 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin had no effect on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in rat brain synaptosomes. Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ by caffeine also had no effect on the effect of AVP on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. Na+ uptake by other pathways was also evaluated. It was found that AVP had no effect on Na+ uptake by pathways other than the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. It is concluded that AVP inhibits the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger in neuronal membranes through vasopressin V1 receptors. Since this pathway is important in the regulation of cell volume and cytosolic Ca2+ in excitable tissue, AVP may impair neuronal cell repolarization in the central nervous system.