Plasma Vasopressin and Human Neurophysins in Physiological and Pathological States Associated with Changes in Vasopressin Secretion*

Using sensitive specific RIAs for vasopressin (AVP) and the two major human neurophysins, the relationship between AVP and the individual human neurophysins was investigated in man by measuring changes in plasma concentrations in physiological and pathological states known to be associated with changes in AVP secretion. Dehydration, water loading, and hemorrhage produced small but significant changes in plasma AVP concentrations without changes in the individual human neurophysins. In response to the stimulus of cigarette smoke inhalation, large parallel changes in plasma AVP and human neurophysin I (HNPI) levels were seen without change in plasma human neurophysin II (HNPII) levels. In the pathological states of diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion,the observations more strongly supported a specific association between AVP and NHPI. In eight patients with central diabetes insipidus, plasma AVP and HNPI levels were low or undetectable, while plasma HNPII levels were normal. There was a clear distinction of both plasma AVP and HNPI levels in patients with central diabetes insipidus and those in patients whti nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In 14 patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion due to causes other than ectopic AVP production from tumors, plasma AVP and HNPI levels were elevated or normal, while plasma HNPII levels were normal. There was a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.99) between plasma AVP and HNPI levels in these patients, with a 1:1 molar ratio. These data suggest that the secretion of AVP and HNPI in man are functionally related, while the secretion of HNPII is independent of AVP secretion.