Vascular vasopressin receptors in renal hypertensive rats.

We investigated the plasma concentration of [Arg8]-vasopressin (AVP), the density of AVP-binding sites on membranes from the mesenteric vascular bed, and the pressor response to AVP of the perfused mesenteric vasculature in vitro from one-kidney, one-clip (1K, 1C) and two-kidney, one-clip (2K, 1C) Goldblatt hypertensive rats. The plasma concentration of AVP was increased in 1K, 1C hypertensive rats. The density of AVP-binding sites was similar in sham-operated normotensive, in 2K, 1C hypertensive, and in uninephrectomized rats but was significantly decreased in 1K, 1C hypertensive rats (P less than 0.05). The binding affinity of AVP was similar in all experimental groups. Vasoconstrictor response to AVP was increased in 2K, 1C hypertensive rats (27% higher than sham-operated normotensive rats, P less than 0.05). Responses in 1K, 1C hypertensive rats were similar to those of uninephrectomized rats. Our results indicate that together with an increased concentration of AVP in plasma the number of vascular AVP-binding sites is decreased in 1K, 1C hypertensive rats, whereas both are unaltered in 2K, 1C hypertensive rats. Vascular AVP receptors appear to be regulated inversely to plasma AVP concentrations. Pressor responsiveness to AVP is normal in 1K, 1C hypertensive rats and exaggerated in 2K, 1C hypertensive rats. Increased vascular responsiveness to AVP may occur independently of the regulation of AVP receptors and may contribute to elevation of blood pressure in renal hypertension in the rat.