The influence of arginine-vasopressin on stool output and gastrointestinal transit time in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
It was asked whether continuous infusion of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) could decrease stool output and gastrointestinal transit time in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Randomised single blind cross-over-design.


METHODS
5 healthy male volunteers.


METHODS
Continuous s.c. infusion of AVP (7.5 micrograms/d) for one week vs. 0.9% NaCl-solution (placebo). Some days before the experiment started, the volunteers underwent a two-day-thirsting-period (< 500 ml/day).


METHODS
AVP-levels in serum, urine output, AVP-urine-excretion, stool frequency, stool weight, colonic transit time.


RESULTS
As compared to saline infusion both serum-levels of AVP and AVP-excretion in urine were about four times higher during AVP-infusion whereas they were doubled during thirsting. Accordingly urine output was lower when AVP-levels were high. Parameters of colonic motility did not differ significantly (stool frequency 6.8 +/- 0.8/week for placebo vs. 6.8 +/- 0.5/week during AVP, stool weight 200.3 +/- 25.0 g/d vs. 210.6 +/- 21.1 gld, total colonic transit 22.9 +/- 7.0 hours vs. 25.7 +/- 5.8 hours).


CONCLUSIONS
1. AVP is well absorbed when applied subcutaneously. 2. AVP in the dosage given has no major influence on stool output and gastrointestinal transit time in healthy volunteers.
Voderholzer
W A
WA
Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Innenstadt, University of Munich.
Klauser
A G
AG
Mühldorfer
B E
BE
Fiedler
F
F
Müller-Lissner
S A
SA
D000328:Adult; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin