Vasopressin-prostaglandin interactions in the regulation of epithelial cell permeability to water

Abstract

Prostaglandins (PG's) have effects at several sites involved in the regulation of water balance. Many of these are discussed elsewhere in this symposium. This review will consider vasopressin-PG interactions that are involved in the regulation of water permeability of epithelia, particularly the renal collecting duct and toad urinary bladder. It is well established that the increase in permeability to water that vasopressin elicits in epithelia involves stimulation of the formation of cyclic AMP [1] and that PGE inhibits the water permeability response by inhibiting the stimulation of cyclic AMP formation [2, 3]. After summarizing the current understanding of the cellular action of vasopressin and the development of ideas and information regarding the role of PG's in regulating the response to vasopressin, the mechanisms of the effects of PG's will be considered, as well as the effect of vasopressin on the metabolism of PG's and related compounds. Finally, the foregoing will be considered in terms of normal and abnormal regulation of water permeability.