Influence of mannitol-induced reduction in CSF Na on nervous and endocrine mechanisms involved in the control of fluid balance.

Infusions (20 microliter/min) of isotonic (0.27 M) and hypertonic (0.7 M) mannitol dissolved in Na-free artificial CSF were made for 1 h. into the lateral cerebral ventricle (IVT) of conscious water-replete sheep. The IVT infusion of both 0.27 M and 0.7 M mannitol induced a water-diuresis. Samples of CSF were collected prior to, and 5, 35, 65, 125 min after the end of the infusion. These consistently showed a reduction in CSF [Na], while CSF osmolality remained unchanged after 0.27 M mannitol, and was considerably increased after 0.7 M mannitol. In the 44 dehydrated sheep IVT infusion of 0.7 mannitol in Na-free artificial CSF was made for 6 h. The water deprivation as such caused a marked increase in plasma and CSF [Na] and osmolality. The 6 h IVT infusion of hypertonic mannitol further increased the CSF osmolality, while CSF [Na] decreased and reached a values below the normal for water-replete animals. The infusion also induced a fall in plasma ADH resulting in a water-diuresis, and extinguished the thirst of the dehydrated sheep. Furthermore, the infusion markedly reduced renal sodium excretion with causing any substantial change in blood aldosterone, in spite of the fact that there was a conspicuous increase in plasma renin concentration. The study supports the view that sodium sensitive receptors close to the cerebral ventricular system participate in the regulation of ADH secretion, water intake, renin release, and renal sodium excretion.