Vasopressin and vasopressin receptor antagonists.
Vasopressin, a neurohypophyseal peptide hormone, is the endogenous agonist at V1a, V1b, and V2 receptors. The most important physiological function of vasopressin is the maintenance of water homeostasis through interaction with V2 receptors in the kidney. Vasopressin binds to V2 receptor and increases the number of aquaporin-2 at the apical plasma membrane of collecting duct principal cells. That induces high water permeability across the membrane. Several non-peptide vasopressin receptor antagonists have been developed and are being studied primarily for treating conditions characterized by hyponatremia and fluid overload. Further studies are needed to determine how they are best used in these situations.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yun Kyu
YK
Oh
aquaporin 2; hyponatremia; vasopressin receptor antagonist; vasopressins