Normally there are
homeostatic processes in the body which maintain the concentration of body
solutes within a narrow range, both inside and outside cells. The process occurs as follows: in some hypothalamic cells there are
osmoreceptors which respond to hyperosmolality in body fluids by signalling the posterior pituitary gland to secrete ADH. This keeps serum
sodium concentration – a proxy for solute concentration – at normal levels, prevents
hypernatremia and turns off the osmoreceptors. Specifically, when the serum sodium rises above 142 mEq/L, ADH secretion is maximal (and thirst is stimulated as well); when it is below 135 mEq/L, there is no secretion. ADH activates V2 receptors on the basolateral membrane of principal cells in the renal collecting duct, initiating a cyclic AMP-dependent process that culminates in increased production of water channels (aquaporin 2), and their insertion into the cells' luminal membranes.
Excessive ADH causes an
inappropriate increase in the reabsorption in the kidneys of solute-free water ("free water"): excess water moves from the
distal convoluted tubules (DCTs) and
collecting tubules of the
nephrons – via activation of
aquaporins, the site of the
ADH receptors – back into the
circulation. This has two consequences. First, in the
extracellular fluid (ECF) space, there is a
dilution of blood solutes, causing hypo
osmolality, including a low sodium concentration – hyponatremia. [There is no expansion of the ECF volume because as it attempts to expand, aldosterone is suppressed and
atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is stimulated: both of these hormones cause isotonic ECF fluid to be excreted by the kidneys sufficient to keep ECF volume at a normal level.] Also, virtually simultaneously to these ECF events, the
intracellular space (ICF) volume expands. This is because the osmolality of the ECF is (transiently) less than that of the ICF; and since water is readily permeable to cell membranes, solute-free water moves from the ECF to the ICF compartment by
osmosis:
all cells swell. Swelling of
brain cells –
cerebral edema – causes various
neurological abnormalities which in acute and/or severe cases can result in
convulsions,
coma, and
death. The normal function of ADH on the
kidneys is to control the amount of water reabsorbed by kidney nephrons. ADH acts in the distal portion of the renal tubule (distal convoluted tubule) as well as on the
collecting duct and causes the retention of water, but
not solute. Hence, ADH activity effectively dilutes the blood (decreasing the concentrations of solutes such as sodium), causing
hyponatremia; this is compounded by the fact that the body responds to water retention by decreasing
aldosterone, thus allowing even more sodium wasting. For this reason, a high urinary sodium excretion will be seen. The abnormalities underlying type D syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone hypersecretion concern individuals where vasopressin release and response are normal but where abnormal renal expression and translocation of
aquaporin 2, or both are found. It has been suggested that this is due to abnormalities in the secretion of
secretin in the brain and that "Secretin as a neurosecretory hormone from the posterior pituitary, therefore, could be the long-sought vasopressin independent mechanism to solve the riddle that has puzzled clinicians and physiologists for decades." Hyponatremia and inappropriately concentrated urine (UOsm >100 mOsm/L) are seen. ==Diagnosis==