Administration of vincristine resulted in a hyponatremic state and concurrent elevation
of the plasma immunoreactive arginine8-vasopressin (IR-AVP) level in rats. Development of the vincristine-induced hyponatremia
and hypoosmolality was accompanied by a loss in weight, a decreased water intake and
a large reduction in the daily urine sodium excretion. The cause of the sodium loss
is thought to be the diarrhea observed during vincristine treatment. Hematocrit and
serum urea nitrogen levels were increased.
It is concluded that the condition differs from the syndrome of inaproppriate secretion
of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) : the increase in plasma IR-AVP concentration may
be associated with dehydration due to vincristine toxicity.
Vincristine toxicity - Hyponatremia - Vasopressin - Dehydration
