EFFECT OF METOCLOPRAMIDE ON THE SECRETION OF ALDOSTERONE AND OTHER ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, on the secretion of aldosterone and other adrenocortical steroids in normal subjects. An i.v. bolus injection of 10 mg of metoclopramide significantly increased the plasma PRL, plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone, but the plasma renin activity, plasma deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone and cortisol remained unchanged. The changes in plasma aldosterone induced by metoclopramide were significantly correlated with the basal levels of plasma aldosterone and renin activity. These results suggest that the response of plasma aldosterone to metoclopramide in normal subjects is influenced by the basal activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the late step of aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by metoclopramide.