In Vivo Evidence That Endogenous Dopamine Modulates Sympathetic Activity in Man

• Published in: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979) Tex. 1979), 1999-09, Vol.34 (3), p.398-402
• Main Authors: Mannelli, Massimo, Ianni, Lucia, Lazzeri, Chiara, Castellani, Walter, Pupilli, Cinzia, Villa, Giorgio La, Barletta, Giuseppe, Serio, Mario, Franchi, Franco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Gland Diseases - metabolism; Adrenal Gland Diseases - physiopathology; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Over Studies; Domperidone - pharmacology; Dopamine - blood; Dopamine - physiology; Dopamine Antagonists - pharmacology; Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Norepinephrine - blood; Peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Neuromuscular transmission. Ganglionic transmission. Electric organ; Physical Exertion - physiology; Receptors, Dopamine D2 - metabolism; Reference Values; Sympathetic Nervous System - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0194-911X; 1524-4563
• DOI: 10.1161/01.HYP.34.3.398

Dopamine receptors type 2 (D2)-like receptor blockers cause an increase in the norepinephrine response to intense physical exercise. However, during intense physical exercise, D2-like antagonists also cause an increase in the epinephrine response, which itself might cause an increase in plasma norepinephrine through the activation of β2 presynaptic receptors. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of domperidone, a D2-like antagonist, on the norepinephrine response to physical exercise in 6 Addison patients (3 were adrenalectomized and 3 had adrenal tuberculosis). In these patients, the norepinephrine increase observed during exercise was significantly higher after the administration of domperidone than a placebo (F=4,328; P