Dopaminergic control of ketogenesis in fasting

The role of dopamine in starvation ketonaemia was investigated in male Wistar rats by administration of a specific dopamine receptor antagonist, metoclopramide (4 mg . kg-1 . 24h-1), or placebo, intragastrically during a 48-h fast. Starvation alone caused a fall in blood glucose and gluconeogenic precursor concentrations, which was unaffected by metoclopramide administration. Circulating 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate levels rose with fasting alone but metoclopramide impaired this ketonaemic response. After 48-h starvation, total ketone body concentrations (mean +/- SEM) were 2.28 +/- 0.19 mmol/l with metoclopramide therapy, 3.49 +/- 0.21 mmol/l with placebo, P less than 0.001. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels were similar in metoclopramide- and placebo-treated animals, as were circulating concentrations of insulin, glucagon and growth hormone. Metoclopramide thus decreased the ketonaemic response to starvation without an apparent change in lipolysis or circulating hormone levels, suggesting a direct role for dopamine in production of starvation ketonaemia.