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April 21, 2023

Vasopressin: An Important Biomarker for Water Metabolism & Sleep Research

ALPCO is pleased to announce the addition of two new radioimmunoassays (RIA) to measure vasopressin. The Vasopressin RIA and the Vasopressin Direct RIA. Both assays were originally developed by BÜHLMANN Laboratories. After optimization for greater ease-of-use, they are now offered by NovoLytiX GmbH of Switzerland. ALPCO is proud to be the exclusive distributor for the Vasopressin RIA and Vasopressin Direct RIA in North America.

What's New?

Improvements to “ex-BÜHLMANN” Vasopressin RIAs
  • Ready-to-use standards eliminate dilution steps and potential for error
  • Liquid, ready-to-use reagents replace lyophilized form and simplify workflow
  • Greater stability for all reagents (2 months at 2 - 8° C) after first use conserves precious freezer space and saves time
  • Vasopressin Direct RIA is now validated for plasma and urine samples without an extraction step
Vasopressin, also known as arginine vasopressin (AVP) or anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), is produced by the brain in response to either high plasma sodium levels or decreased blood volume1. It regulates hydration by ensuring cells are surrounded by the right amount of water to function optimally.  When water is not balanced and the body becomes dehydrated, there are short-term negative health effects like headache, fatigue, irritability, loss of physical performance, and more2. Chronic dehydration may lead to serious problems like frequent urinary tract infections and kidney stones3. Vasopressin acts on the kidneys to control how much water is excreted in urine and helps balance water in the body. Vasopressin also helps maintain body temperature, blood volume, and the proper flow of urine from the kidneys. Researchers measure vasopressin to explore water metabolism disorders such as diabetes insipidus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).  Vasopressin is made by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the area of the brain responsible for governing circadian rhythm, and is also an important biomarker for sleep and biological rhythm research.

Vasopressin’s Role in Water Management

Vasopressin acts on the kidneys to control how much water is excreted in urine and helps balance water in the body. In dehydration, vasopressin levels rise, stimulating thirst and signaling the kidneys to produce concentrated urine, thus freeing up water in the body. When the body has excess water, vasopressin levels decrease, signaling the kidneys to dilute urine, thereby allowing more water to leave the body during urination.

Vasopressin and Sleep Research

Researchers continue to study the role of vasopressin in the sleep cycle. Animal studies indicate that vasopressin is released proactively before sleep to stimulate thirst and water intake. This release is triggered solely by circadian rhythm and mitigates dehydration during the night. Vasopressin neurons that link the SCN to thirst neurons control this impulse which may help preserve sleep quality by eliminating the need to wake up and hydrate4. In human studies where vasopressin levels are increased via administration, there is a significant reduction in the rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep phase5. Further, studies have demonstrated that vasopressin is released more quickly later in the sleep cycle leading researchers to postulate that individuals with shorter sleep cycles may miss a window where more hormone is released, and experience disruptions in hydration2. ALPCO is pleased to announce the addition of a new Vasopressin Direct Radioimmunoassay (RIA) in partnership with NovoLytiX GmbH of Switzerland.  A full list of sleep disorder-related products is below.  
Item Catalog # Sample Type
6-sulfatoxymelatonin ELISA 12-EK-M6S-U Urine
Direct Saliva Melatonin RIA 12-RK-DSM2-U Saliva
Direct Saliva Melatonin ELISA 12-EK-DSM-U Saliva
Melatonin RIA* 12-RK-MEL2-U Serum, Plasma, Urine
Melatonin ELISA 12-MLTN-96-U Saliva, Serum, Plasma
Vasopressin Direct RIA 12-RK-VPD-U EDTA Plasma, Urine
Vasopressin RIA* 12-RK-AR1-U EDTA Plasma, Urine
Vasopressin ELISA (AVP/ADH) 74-VSPHU-E01.1 Cell Culture, Plasma, Serum
Item Catalog # Description
Melatonin Extraction Set 12-MLTN-EXSET-U For use with 12-MLTN-96 for serum and plasma.  Suitable for 80 extractions.  Includes 20 extraction columns, low and high controls, and incubation buffer.
Salivette Collection Devices 12-B-SVC50-U For simple, hygienic collection and storage of saliva samples.  Each box contains 50 units.
Melatonin Extraction Columns 12-B-MECX For use with 12-RK-MEL2-U. C18 solid phase extraction columns available in boxes of 10x10 units for extraction from biological samples.
Angiotensin/Vasopressin Extraction Columns 12-B-AECX For use with Vasopressin RIA (12-RK-AR1-U). Reversed phase columns containing 100 mg phenylsilylsilica available in boxes of 10×10 units for extraction from biological samples.
*Extraction recommended. See associated extraction devices. References:
  1. Hannon and Christopher (2016). Chapter 18 - Vasopressin, Diabetes Insipidus, and the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis, Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric (Seventh Edition), W.B. Saunders, Pages 298-311.e4, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-18907-1.00018-4.
  2. Asher, et al (2019). Short sleep duration is associated with inadequate hydration: Cross-cultural evidence from US and Chinese adults. Sleep, Feb; Vol 42, Issue 2, zsy210 DOI: 1093/sleep/zsy210
  3. Popkin, et al (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutr Rev. Aug; 68(8):439-458. PMCID: PMC2908954
  4. Gizowski, et al (2016). Clock-driven vasopressin neurotransmission mediates anticipatory thirst prior to sleep. Nature, Sept;537 (7622): 685 DOI: 1038/nature19756
  5. Born, et al (1992). Vasopressin regulates human sleep by reducing rapid-eye-movement sleep. Am J Physiol. Mar;262(3 Pt 1):E295-300. PMID: 1550223.
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