Argipressin is a peptide hormone with vasoconstrictive and antidiuretic activities that binds to the vascular arginine vasopressin receptor, V₁, with K_dvalues of 1.31 and 1.44 nM in A₇r₅rat aortic smooth muscle cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, respectively.^1,2It also stimulates the intracellular release of calcium in A₇r₅cells (EC₅₀= 5 nM).³In rat models, argipressin induces hypertension and tachycardia when injected into the lateral septal nuclei at a dose of 100-400 ng and increases heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) when injected into the medial amygdaloid body at a dose of 150-600 ng.^4,5

1.Thibonnier, M., Bayer, A.L., Simonson, M.S., et al.Multiple signaling pathways of V1-vascular vasopressin receptors of A7r5 cellsEndocrinology129(6)2845-2856(1991) 2.Xu, Y.J., and Gopalakrishnan, V.Vasopressin increases cytosolic free [Ca2+] in the neonatal rat cardiomyocyte. Evidence for V1 subtype receptorsCirc. Res.69(1)239-245(1991) 3.Byron, K.L.Vasopressin stimulates Ca2+ spiking activity in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells via activation of phospholipase A2Circ. Res.78(5)813-820(1996) 4.Gao, L., Jiang, N.-C., Luo, Q.-H., et al.Cardiovascular effects of injection of argipressin into lateral septal nuclei in ratsZhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao.17(1)49-52(1996) 5.Jiang, N.-C., Gao, L., Chen, C., et al.Effects of argipressin injected into medial amygdaloid body on blood pressure and heart rate in ratsZhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao.14(2)118-120(1993)