The endocrine profile of bromocriptine: its application in endocrine diseases

Bromocriptine, a potent agonist at Dz receptors, was developed as a therapeutic agent for inhibiting prolactin (PRL) secretion in patients with hyperprolactinemia. Besides, its PRL-suppressive effect and a short-lasting growth hormone (GH)-releasing effect in normal volunteers, bromocriptine has no other endocrine effects in healthy subjects. On the other hand, bromocriptine lowers GH secretion in acromegalic patients and ACTH secretion in some patients with Cushing's disease or Nelson's syndrome. The paper reviews the endocrine actions of bromocriptine in man, in normal and pathological conditions, the bromocriptine's mechanism of action and its clinical applications in endocrinology.