Metabolic Effects of Vasopressin

Abstract

In the light of the stimulating effect of hypoglycemia on AVP secretion (chapter 5.4.3) it might be interesting to consider the significance of the hormone in the control of serum glucose levels, and possibly of other energy-producing substances. The best characterized metabolic actions of AVP are related to the liver, an organ in which the concentration of vasopressin receptors is 5 times greater than in the kidneys (Jard 1983a). Probably glycogenolysis is the most prominent of these hepatic effects, though the peptide also enhances hepatic glyconeogenesis and glycolysis, and reduces hepatic lipogenesis and ketogenesis. Moreover, vasopressin can promote endogenous energy mobilization by stimulating glucagon and ACTH release. Although at present AVP is not regarded as a major counterregulatory hormone, it is possible that it may have a minor role in glucose homeostasis and contribute to the restoration of normoglycemia (Spruce et al. 1985b). In addition to these peripheral effects a potential role of centrally acting vasopressin in the regulation of feeding behavior and in the development of various feeding disorders has been proposed (Gold et al. 1983a, Arawich and Sladek 1986).