J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 85(3): 231-237, 1984

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Original article

EFFECT OF PITRESSIN (8-ARGININE VASOPRESSIN) ON LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER IN DOGS

The effect of vasopressin on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) is still poorly understood. The present study was designed to determine the effect of I.V. and intra-arterial administration of 8-arginine vasopressin (Pitressin) on the LESP in dogs.
A total of 16 anesthetized mongrel dogs were given a continuous perfusion of Pitressin for 20 minutes. Group A (3 dogs) : Infused at 2.75mU/kg/min into the superior mesenteric artery. Group B (3 dogs) : 2.75mU/kg/min into a peripheral vein. Group C (5 dogs) : 14mU/kg/min into a peripheral vein (equivalent to therapeutic dose in humans). Group D (5 dogs) : 28mU/kg/min into a peripheral vein. Esophageal manometry was performed using a triple lumen polyvinyl tube assembly perfused with water at 0.4ml/min. LESP was checked by the pull-through technique before, immediately and 30 minutes later after termination of the infusion. LESP was monitored at 3 locations during the infusion.
No change in LESP was noted when Pitressin (2.75mU/kg/min) was infused intra-arterial or I.V. I.V. infusion of 14 and 28 mU/kg/min Pitressin caused a significant sustained decrease in LESP (p＜0.001). After infusion of 28mU/kg/min, LESP failed to return to control levels in 30 minutes.
The results suggest that intravenous administration of a high dose of Pitressin predisposes to gastroesophageal reflux during and shortly after infusion.

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