Antidiuretic hormone receptor (also called vasopressin receptor) (ADH receptor (or AVP receptor))

The **regulation of water metabolism via diuresis** describes a physiological process rather than a specific target molecule, but the key molecular mediator is antidiuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin), which acts primarily on the ADH (vasopressin) receptors in the kidney. These G protein-coupled receptors—chiefly the V2 subtype on the cells of the renal collecting ducts—mediate the insertion of aquaporin water channels into the membrane, thereby promoting water reabsorption and decreasing urine output. Inhibition of this pathway, whether by pharmacologic antagonists or by alcohol, leads to diuresis, or increased urine production as the kidney excretes more free water. Drugs targeting this system, including ADH analogs and antagonists, are used therapeutically to manage disorders of water balance such as diabetes insipidus, heart failure, and hyponatremia. Diuresis can also be pharmacologically induced using diuretics that block renal reabsorption of sodium, indirectly increasing water loss[1][2][3][4][6][7].

Other names

Vasopressin receptorADH receptorArginine vasopressin receptorAVP receptor

Agonism/antagonism of the vasopressin V2 receptor regulates insertion of aquaporins in renal collecting ducts to increase or decrease water reabsorption; some drugs (diuretics) act indirectly by opposing vasopressin action or increasing sodium excretion to enhance water loss[1][2][3][4][6][7].