Effects of long-term oral treatment with selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist (OPC-31260) on adriamycin-induced heart failure in rats

Background In the treatment of heart failure, the effects of therapeutic agents on life prognosis remains unclear. We investigated the effects of long-term oral administration of a nonpeptide, selective, vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, OPC-31260, on Sprague–Dawley rats that were treated with adriamycin to induce progressive water retention. Methods Intraperitoneal saline was administered to 14 rats as a control (Group 1). A total cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg of adriamycin was administered intraperitoneally in six equal doses over a period of 2 weeks to another 52 rats. Adriamycin-treated rats were further divided into Group 2, which received saline (p.o.), and Group 3, which received 50 mg/kg (p.o.) of V2 antagonist. Oral administration continued every day for 6 weeks. Group 1 rats also received saline (p.o.) for 6 weeks. Results The V2 antagonist decreased urine osmolality and increased diuresis of rats in Group 3. Urinary excretion of electrolytes was not increased by the V2 antagonist in Group 3. Serum osmolality was likewise unchanged by the V2 antagonist in Group 3. Plasma concentrations of vasopressin were significantly higher in Group 3 than in the other groups (Group 1, 4.0 ± 1.1 pg/ml; Group 2, 4.2 ± 1.5 pg/ml; Group 3, 8.5 ± 1.0 pg/ml; p < 0.05). During the experimental period, survival rate was higher in Group 3 than in Group 2 (Group 1, 100%; Group 2, 59%; Group 3, 83%). Conclusion Our data show that administration of orally active V2 antagonist did not reduce the survival of adriamycin-treated rats through continuous aquaretic action, despite elevated plasma levels of vasopressin.