Water intake induced in rats by serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan: different mechanisms?

The present studies were designed to investigate further the mechanism by which water intake is induced in rats by peripheral administration of either serotonin (5HT) or its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP). Consistent with previous studies that have implicated mediation by the renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS), we now report that bilateral nephrectomy completely abolishes the drinking response to various doses of 5HT. In contrast, nephrectomy had little effect on the drinking induced by 5HTP. Thus, 5HTP may induce drinking by mechanisms other than its peripheral conversion to 5HT and subsequent activation of the RAS. The drinking responses to both 5HT and 5HTP were blocked by peripheral administration of the 5HT receptor antagonist, metergoline, but the drug was at least ten-fold more potent against 5HTP than 5HT. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of metergoline also prevented the drinking response to peripherally-administered 5HTP. The drinking responses to both 5HT and 5HTP were enhanced by peripheral administration of low doses of an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril. Collectively, these findings support previous conclusions that 5HT-induced intake of water is mediated exclusively by the renal RAS. However, 5HTP-induced drinking may additionally involve a renin-independent, serotonin-mediated mechanism, possibly in the brain.