Vasopressin in thermoregulation--competitive demands: experimental evidence and theoretical considerations.

M. Horowitz, Y. Epstein, Y. Shapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous studies have substantiated the antipyretic role played by extrahypothalamic limbic system (EXHY-LS) AVP during fever. Repeated attempts to elucidate other thermoregulatory functions of this hormone have failed. Circumstantial evidence, however, suggest central role for this hormone in thermoregulation under hypohydration. Hypohydration, hyperosmolarity and hypovolaemia induced upward shifts in temperature thresholds for activation of heat dissipating mechanisms. When hypovolaemia is superimposed on hyperosmolarity these shifts are additive. Analogously, these two stressors when combined, decrease the osmotic threshold for AVP release. In rats, the elevated temperature thresholds for evaporative cooling and peripheral vasodilation occurring with hypohydration are positively correlated with lower Hypothalamic/EXHY-LS AVP ratio. Reciprocal relations between limbic system and blood AVP contents suggest competitive interaction between central and peripheral demands. Hypothesis for the possible mode of action of central AVP in thermoregulation under hypohydration is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-48
Number of pages8
JournalPhysiological Research
Volume41
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

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