Evidence for the involvement of a GABA-mediated inhibition in the hypovolaemia-induced vasopressin release

Abstract

The influence of GABA and of drugs, known to alter GABA-metabolism, on the hypovolaemia-provoked vasopressin release was investigated in rats. Blood volume was decreased without altering plasma osmolality or arterial blood pressure by i.p. injection of polyethylene glycol and the resulting plasma vasopressin concentration was measured using a radioimmunoassay. I.c.v. injections of GABA (0.4-2 mg) markedly suppressed the hypovolaemia-induced vasopressin release. The central inhibitory effect of GABA could not be related to appropriate changes in peripheral parameters believed to regulate vasopressin release (arterial blood pressure, renin-angiotensin system). Aminooxyacetic acid (9-81 mg kg-1, i.m.) and gamma-vinyl-GABA (1.5 g kg-1, i.p.), two potent inhibitors of GABA aminotransferase and known to increase brain GABA content, reduced vasopressin release to a comparable degree as did GABA (i.c.v.). On the other hand, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (10-90 mg kg-1, i.p.), an inhibitor of the GABA synthetizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase, promoted the release of vasopressin when the rats were killed prior to the onset of convulsions. These results, on the whole, intimate the existence of a GABA-mediated inhibition in the central control of vasopressin release.