Arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as argipressin, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), or simply as vasopressin, is a nine amino acid peptide hormone that plays a primary role in the regulation of renal water excretion and a secondary role in the regulation of cardiovascular function in mammals.^1,2,3 AVP acts on epithelial cells of the urinary tract to augment the reabsorption of water, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. It also stimulates the constriction of capillaries and arterioles, elevating blood pressure.⁴ Normal levels of AVP in serum are 0.4-5.2 pg/ml.^5,6 Plasma levels of AVP are elevated in patients with major and also anxious-retarded depression, as well as in patients with congestive heart failure.^5,7,8,9 Cayman’s AVP EIA is a competitive assay that can be used for the measurement of AVP from plasma and serum. The assay is characterized by an IC₅₀ (50% B/B₀) value of ~220-380 pg/ml and an IC₈₀ (80% B/B₀) value of ~45-60 pg/ml.

1 Brownstein, M.J., Russell, J.T., and Gainer, H. Synthesis, transport, and release of posterior pituitary hormones. Science 207 373-378 (1980).

2 Robertson, G.L., and Berl, T. Pathophysiology of water metabolism. 4th 677-736 (1991).

3 St-Louis, J., and Schiffrin, E.L. Biological action and binding sites for vasopressin on the mesenteric artery from normal and sodium-depleted rats. Life Sci 35 1489-1495 (1984).

4 Thionnier, M. Signal transduction of V1-vascular vasopressin receptors. Regul Pept 38 1-11 (1992).

5 van Londen, L., Goekoop, J.G., van Kempen, G.M., et al. Plasma levels of arginine vasopressin elevated in patients with major depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 17 284-292 (1997).

6 Robertson, G.L., Mahr, E.A., Athar, S., et al. Development and clinical application of a new method for the radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin in human plasma. J Clin Invest 52 2340-2352 (1973).

7 de Winter, R.F.P., van Hemert, A.M., DeRijk, R.H., et al. Anxious-retarded depression: Relation with plasma vasopressin and cortisol. Neuropsychopharmacology 23 140-147 (2003).

8 Creager, M.A., Faxon, D.P., Cutler, S.S., et al. Contribution of vasopressin to vasoconstriction in patients with congestive heart failure: Comparison with the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system. J Am Coll Cardiol 7 758-765 (1986).

9 Price, J.F., Towbin, J.A., Denfield, S.W., et al. Arginine vasopressin levels are elevated and correlate with functional status in infants and children with congestive heart failure. Circulation 109 2550-2553 (2004).

Brownstein, M.J., Russell, J.T., and Gainer, H. Synthesis, transport, and release of posterior pituitary hormones. Science 207 373-378 (1980).

Robertson, G.L., Mahr, E.A., Athar, S., et al. Development and clinical application of a new method for the radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin in human plasma. J Clin Invest 52 2340-2352 (1973).

Creager, M.A., Faxon, D.P., Cutler, S.S., et al. Contribution of vasopressin to vasoconstriction in patients with congestive heart failure: Comparison with the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system. J Am Coll Cardiol 7 758-765 (1986).

Price, J.F., Towbin, J.A., Denfield, S.W., et al. Arginine vasopressin levels are elevated and correlate with functional status in infants and children with congestive heart failure. Circulation 109 2550-2553 (2004).

de Winter, R.F.P., van Hemert, A.M., DeRijk, R.H., et al. Anxious-retarded depression: Relation with plasma vasopressin and cortisol. Neuropsychopharmacology 23 140-147 (2003).

van Londen, L., Goekoop, J.G., van Kempen, G.M., et al. Plasma levels of arginine vasopressin elevated in patients with major depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 17 284-292 (1997).

Robertson, G.L., and Berl, T. Pathophysiology of water metabolism. 4th 677-736 (1991).

Thionnier, M. Signal transduction of V1-vascular vasopressin receptors. Regul Pept 38 1-11 (1992).

St-Louis, J., and Schiffrin, E.L. Biological action and binding sites for vasopressin on the mesenteric artery from normal and sodium-depleted rats. Life Sci 35 1489-1495 (1984).

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