Role of vasopressin and sympathetic nervous system during hypertonic NaCl infusion in conscious dog.

The contribution of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and the sympathetic nervous system to the pressor response elicited by hypertonic NaCl infusion was investigated in conscious dogs with intact carotid sinus baroreceptors or in dogs subjected to chronic sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD). Infusion of 6% NaCl at 0.05 ml X kg-1 X min-1 for 60 min increased plasma osmolality an average of 12 +/- 2 mosmol/kg in both intact and SAD dogs. Arterial pressure increased 6 +/- 2 mmHg in intact animals and was normalized by subsequent administration of a specific vascular AVP antagonist. Pretreatment with the AVP antagonist did not alter resting arterial pressure but prevented the increase due to the osmotic stimulus. Pretreatment with ganglionic blockade reduced resting arterial pressure (-17 +/- 2 mmHg). Subsequent infusion of hypertonic NaCl elevated arterial pressure (21 +/- 7 mmHg) to a significantly greater level than that observed with the autonomic nervous system intact. In SAD dogs, the osmotic stimulus increased arterial pressure (16 +/- 1 mmHg) to a significantly greater extent than in intact animals. Subsequent administration of AVP antagonist normalized arterial pressure, and pretreatment with the antagonist prevented any pressor response. Pretreatment with ganglionic blockade did not alter the pressor response (15 +/- 2 mmHg) to hypertonic NaCl. Data suggest that the increase in arterial pressure due to an osmotic stimulus is due to AVP release and does not require a functional sympathetic nervous system. The response is normally buffered by arterial baroreflexes, presumably due to sympathetic withdrawal.