Additive effects of glucagon and vasopressin on renal Mg reabsorption and urine concentrating ability in the rat.

Previous studies demonstrated that in rat kidney, arginine-vasopressin (AVP), glucagon (GLU), calcitonin and parathyroid hormone exert similar effects on the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH). To ascertain the physiological significance of such multiple hormonal control of TALH function, it is necessary to establish whether one hormone can exert its effect on TALH, even when other hormones are present. We therefore compared renal responses to submaximal (1 ng/min) and maximal (10 ng/min) doses of glucagon in rats deprived of endogenous AVP, GLU, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone with the responses of similar rats given a maximal dose of AVP (40 pg/min). Administration of glucagon or AVP alone reduced Mg fractional excretion, but the reduction was more marked when both hormones were given together. Consequently, their effects were additive, at submaximal and maximal doses. In the presence of AVP + glucagon, urinary osmolality was also higher than in the presence of AVP alone (Umax: 1242 +/- 49 vs. 936 +/- 50 mosmol/kg; p less than 0.001). This latter effect may indicate that AVP and glucagon also exert additive effects on Na reabsorption in the TALH.