title: Effect of verapamil on the aldosterone-stimulating properties of metoclopramide: in vitro and in vivo studies.
abstract: The role of calcium in the regulation of aldosterone secretion has been recently clarified. Angiotensin II and potassium stimulate aldosterone secretion through a calcium-entry dependent mechanism, while ACTH action is both calcium and cyclic AMP dependent. To establish whether also the so-called aldosterone dopaminergic regulatory system is calcium-dependent we have studied, in vitro and in vivo, the effect of verapamil, a calcium entry blocker agent, on the aldosterone-stimulating properties of the antidopaminergic drug, metoclopramide. In the rat adrenal cells perfusion system, verapamil blocked both angiotensin II and metoclopramide-stimulated aldosterone. This effect on metoclopramide action seems to be present also in vivo in normal subjects: in fact aldosterone response was slightly but significantly reduced after pretreatment with verapamil. In conclusion the results suggest that also the dopaminergic system could regulate aldosterone secretion through calcium-mediated mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000804:Angiotensin II; D000450:Aldosterone; D014700:Verapamil; D008787:Metoclopramide