Thirst perception, drinking, arginine vasopressin activity and associated neurohumoral factors

Thirst, drinking, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion are essential correlated osmoregulatory mechanisms that are crucial for normal physiologic function and overall survival of humans. These homeostatic mechanisms require or are operated via complex central and peripheral neural connections with influence from other peptides and hormones including angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide and relaxin. The effectiveness of these mechanisms declines with age, and the consequences manifest during hyperosmotic challenges as decreased thirst and urine concentrating ability. The neurohumoral cascades involved in the physiological response to alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance are examined.Keywords: Thirst perception, drinking, arginine vasopressin, angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide, relaxi

Thirst perception in dehydrated sickle cell disease patients in steady state

Liberal fluid intake is one of the key management strategies in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients in steady state, but less work has been done on the desire of patients to drink water. Using the Visual Analogue Scale we studied thirst perception (TP) in 20 euhydrated SCA patients and 28 control (HbA) subjects, as well as during dehydration in 13 SCA patients and 9 HbA subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for Na, K ions, creatinine concentrations and haematocrit and specific gravity of urine were determined. During euhydration, TP was significantly [