The Interaction of Vasopressin with Hormones of the Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis: The Significance for Therapeutic Strategies in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Abstract

A large body of evidence indicates that vasopressin (AVP) and steroid hormones are frequently secreted together and closely cooperate in the regulation of blood pressure, metabolism, water–electrolyte balance, and behavior, thereby securing survival and the comfort of life. Vasopressin cooperates with hormones of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) at several levels through regulation of the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and multiple steroid hormones, as well as through interactions with steroids in the target organs. These interactions are facilitated by positive and negative feedback between specific components of the HPA. Altogether, AVP and the HPA cooperate closely as a coordinated functional AVP-HPA system. It has been shown that cooperation between AVP and steroid hormones may be affected by cellular stress combined with hypoxia, and by metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders; neurogenic stress; and inflammation. Growing evidence indicates that central and peripheral interactions between AVP and steroid hormones are reprogrammed in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and that these rearrangements exert either beneficial or harmful effects. The present review highlights specific mechanisms of the interactions between AVP and steroids at cellular and systemic levels and analyses the consequences of the inappropriate cooperation of various components of the AVP-HPA system for the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.