Osmomediated natriuresis in humans: the role of vasopressin and tubular calcium sensing.

Background: The aim was to investigate the unknown mechanism of osmomediated natriuresis. This is the phenomenon by which hypertonic saline (HS) produces a larger natriuresis than isotonic saline (IS), despite the same sodium content.

Methods: Seven healthy volunteers first received HS and then IS (both 3.85 mmol sodium/kg). To investigate the role of calcium metabolism, four patients received HS, two with an activating mutation (ADH) and two with an inactivating mutation (FHH) of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR).

Results: In healthy volunteers, HS produced mild hypernatraemia, a 4-fold rise in vasopressin (to 2.2 +/- 0.85 pg/mL) and a 3-fold rise in natriuresis compared with a 1.5-fold rise with IS (P = 0.002). This confirmed osmomediated natriuresis. HS caused calciuresis to increase 1.4-fold and then reduced it 1.4-fold, whereas IS failed to increase calciuresis and caused it to fall 3.7-fold (P = 0.05). Natriuresis and calciuresis in ADH patients were similar to healthy volunteers receiving HS, whereas a blunted response was seen in FHH patients. Patient vasopressin levels did not exceed 1.3 pg/mL and changes from baseline were variable. In one FHH patient, a 3-fold rise in vasopressin did not prevent the blunted natriuresis and calciuresis. In one ADH patient, natriuresis and calciuresis were similar to healthy volunteers despite a 1.7-fold fall in vasopressin.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that not only vasopressin (possibly via its V1a receptor), but also the CaSR (which is sensitive to high sodium concentrations) may play a role in osmomediated natriuresis. These results shed new light on osmomediated natriuresis and suggest roles for the CaSR beyond calcium regulation.