Vasopressin articles from across Nature Portfolio

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a cytokine synthesized and released by the liver, muscle and fat and acts both locally and systemically to regulate whole-body metabolism. David Mangelsdorf and his colleagues now show in two separate studies that FGF21 also acts on the region of the brain that regulates circadian rhythm, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, to further regulate whole-body metabolism as well as reproductive function.

The authors show that mating-induced partner preference in monogamous prairie voles is associated with increased histone acetylation at the oxytocin and vasopressin V1a receptor promoters, and subsequent upregulation of these genes. Histone deacetylase inhibitors induced partner preference in females even in the absence of mating.

Noradrenaline is the currently recommended first-line vasopressor agent for patients with refractory septic shock. Although vasopressin adjunct therapy might be beneficial, new data from the VANISH trial do not support use of vasopressin as a first-line agent in these patients.