Vasopressin constricts outer medullary descending vasa recta isolated from rat kidneys

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) can selectively decrease blood flow in the renal medulla, but the sites of vasoconstriction are uncertain. We have examined the effects of vasopressin-receptor agonists and antagonists on the diameters of outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR), isolated and perfused in vitro. AVP can constrict OMDVR, apparently via V1a-receptors. Ablumenal AVP (10(-10)-10(-6)M) or the selective V1a-receptor agonist [Phe2, Ile3, Orn8]-vasopressin (PO-VT, 10(-8) M) constricted OMDVR focally and (at higher AVP concentrations) transiently. The V1b agonist ideamino-Cys1,D-3-(pyridyl)Ala2,Arg8)vasopressin (DP-VP; 10(-8) M) and the V2 agonist [deamino-Cys1, D-Arg8]vasopressin (DDAVP; 10(-8) M) did not constrict OMDVR. The V1a antagonist [d(CH2)5(1), O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin (CTM-VP, 10(-10) 10(-8) M) inhibited vasoconstriction by AVP 10(-9 M), whereas the V2 antagonist [d(CH2)5(1), D-Ile2,Ile4 Arg8]vasopressin (II-VP) at low concentration (10(-10) M) did not. V2 stimulation seems to inhibit V1a constriction of OMDVR. DDAVP prevented constriction by PO-VT (10(-8) M) applied at the same time and dilated OMDVR preconstricted with PO-VT.