The effect of ethanol intoxication and hangover on immunoreactive plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration was studied in 7 healthy supine men in controlled clinical conditions. In 6 subjects plasma AVP increased above control values at the time of maximal blood ethanol concentration. The highest AVP values were observed in the subjects having nausea and vomiting and the worst hangover symptoms. During hangover plasma AVP values were higher than the controls and the response of plasma AVP to upright posture was exaggerated. The dissociation of plasma AVP concentration and ethanol diuresis suggested that the suppression of AVP release is not the sole determinant of ethanol diuresis. The study may indicate that the toxic effects of ethanol and the severity of hangover symptoms are associated with the state of hydration and individual sensitivity of AVP triggering mechanisms.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for arg8-vasopressin (AVP) in unextracted human plasma was based on a sensitive anti-AVP rabbit antiserum, inhibition of enzymatic damage to [125I]AVP and AVP, and the use of an individual plasma blank, to correct for interference of plasma factors with the RIA. Sensitivity was 0.4 pg of synthetic AVP detected, corresponding to 1.2 pg/ml of AVP in human plasma. Recovery of AVP added to pooled plasma was 94 +/- 9.3% (mean +/- S.D.) in the low range (AVP, 2.8 pg/ml added) and 106 +/- 11.7% in the high range (45.0 pg/ml added). In 26 healthy, ambulatory subjects on ad lib, water intake, plasma AVP concentration was 2.0 +/- 1.22 pg/ml in the supine position and in 28 healthy subjects, 6.2 +/- 4.3 pg/ml in the upright position. Water loading suppressed the plasma AVP concentration. Smoking caused increased plasma AVP in 3 subjects despite water loading.

BackgroundRapeseed oil is the principal dietary source of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the Northern Europe. However, the effect of rapeseed oil on the markers of subclinical atherosclerosis is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dietary intake of cold-pressed turnip rapeseed oil (CPTRO) and butter on serum lipids, oxidized LDL and arterial elasticity in men with metabolic syndrome.MethodsThirty-seven men with metabolic syndrome completed an open and balanced crossover study. Treatment periods lasted for 6 to 8 weeks and they were separated from each other with an eight-week washout period. Subjects maintained their normal dietary habits and physical activity without major variations. The daily fat adjunct consisted either of 37.5 grams of butter or 35 mL of VirginoR CPTRO. Participants were asked to spread butter on bread on the butter period and to drink CPTRO on the oil period. The fat adjunct was used as such without heating or frying.ResultsCompared to butter, administration of CPTRO was followed by a reduction of total cholesterol by 8% (p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol by 11% (p < 0.001). The level of oxidized LDL was 16% lower after oil period (p = 0.024). Minimal differences in arterial elasticity were not statistically significant.ConclusionCold-pressed turnip rapeseed oil had favourable effects on circulating LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL, which may be important in the management of patients at high cardiovascular risk.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov NCT01119690