Effects of water immersion on plasma catecholamines in normal humans

Recent evidence indicates that stimulation of cardiopulmonary receptors in experimental animals results in a diminution of autonomic nervous system activity. Water immersion to the neck (NI) results in a preferential central hypervolemia (CV); thus it might be anticipated that NI would alter plasma catecholamine levels. Because two earlier studies have yielded divergent findings, we designed the present study utilizing more updated methodology to determine whether NI alters plasma catecholamines in normal humans. Eight normal subjects were studied on two occasions; during a seated control study (C) and during 4 h of NI. Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels, determined by radioenzymatic assay, were measured hourly. Despite the induction of a marked natriuresis and diuresis indicating significant CV, NI failed to alter plasma NE or E levels compared with those of either C or the corresponding prestudy 1.5 h. Furthermore, the diuresis and natriuresis varied independently of NE. The current findings suggest that the response of the sympathetic nervous system to acute volume alteration may differ from the reported response to chronic volume expansion.