title: Effect of Domperidone on the Bromocriptine-Induced Antihypertensive Action in Hypertensive Patients.
abstract: Dopaminergic receptors have been involved in the cardiovascular and renin-angiotensin systems (RAS). We have recently reported that bromocriptine is an effective antihypertensive drug by stimulating DA(2) dopaminergic receptors. However, the nature of the dopaminergic receptors in RAS has not been established. Ten outpatients with essential hypertension were treated at the Vargas Hospital with bromocriptine (BR) (11.25 mg day(minus sign1)), a DA(2) dopaminergic agonist, for a 2-week period, after which an oral dose of 30 mg day(minus sign1) of domperidone (DO), a peripheric DA(2) dopaminergic antagonist, was added for 2 additional weeks. The active period was preceeded by a 2-week placebo period. Bromocriptine decreased blood pressure (BP) significantly by 19/9 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic BP). Bromocriptine did not cause heart rate (HR) changes. Bromocriptine decreased plasma aldosterone (ALD) without altering plasma renin activity (PRA). Domperidone partially blocked bromocriptine-induced antihypertensive submaximal treadmill effects and reversed ALD decrease. Exercise response was not significantly altered by BR + DO. We conclude the following: (1) BR is an effective antihypertensive agent; (2) BR seems to be acting at both the central and peripheric nervous systems, and (3) the nature of the dopaminergic receptor involved in renin secretion does not seem to be DA(2).
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Vargas Medical School of Central University of Venezuela and Cardiology Service of the Vargas Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Augusta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luchsinger
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arbona
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forte
authors.forename: Juanita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sukerman
authors.forename: Adalberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urbina
authors.forename: Otto Hernández
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Pieretti