L‐vasopressin inhibits oxytocin‐induced increases of plasma levels of insulin in conscious dogs

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Abstract
Oxytocin is known to increase plasma levels of insulin, glucagon and glucose in dogs. Plasma levels of vasopressin rise during stressful conditions. Since vasopressin counteracts several oxytocin‐induced effects, it was decided to study how vasopressin influences the oxytocin‐induced elevation of plasma levels of insulin, glucagon and glucose. Therefore oxytocin at 0.11 (which gives rise to physiological plasma concentrations) was infused i.v. for 10 min into fasted, conscious dogs either alone or in combination with 0.033 or 0.17 nmol kg‐1 h‐1 of L‐vasopressin. Accordingly, 1.1 nmol kg‐1 h‐1 of oxytocin was infused alone or in combination with 0.67 or 1.7 nmol kg‐1 h‐1 of L‐vasopressin. Repeated blood samples were drawn during and after the infusions and insulin and glucagon levels were determined by radio‐immunoassay. Plasma levels of insulin increased three‐ and six‐fold in response to 0.11 and 1.1 nmol kg‐1 h‐1 of oxytocin, respectively, and the elevations were inhibited by L‐vasopressin. Slight (1.5–fold) increases in plasma levels of glucagon were observed following 0.11 and 1.1 nmol kg‐1 h‐1 of oxytocin, although the effect was significant only after the latter dose. Concomitant infusion with L‐vasopressin did not markedly influence the effect caused by oxytocin. Small, insignificant increases in blood glucose levels were induced by both doses of oxytocin. These effects were not affected by concomitant infusions of L‐vasopressin. The insulin levels rose before glucose levels suggesting that oxytocin stimulates the release of insulin without a previous rise in glucose levels. In conclusion, it has been shown that vasopressin, in amounts which give rise to physiological plasma concentrations, inhibits oxytocin‐induced effects on insulin levels, and that oxytocin stimulates the release of insulin via a mechanism which is independent of elevations in blood glucose levels.