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Endocrine effects of domperidone: a peripheral dopamine blocking agent
Clinical Endocrinology
|September 1, 1981
Summary
Domperidone, a dopamine blocker, significantly increased prolactin levels. It also partially blocked growth hormone (GH) release in response to apomorphine, suggesting peripheral dopamine pathways influence these hormones.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuropharmacology
Background:
- Dopamine is known to regulate prolactin and growth hormone (GH) secretion.
- The role of peripheral versus central dopamine pathways in this regulation remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of domperidone, a peripheral dopamine antagonist, on prolactin and GH levels.
- To determine if dopamine's regulation of these hormones involves targets outside the blood-brain barrier.
Main Methods:
- Administration of domperidone to assess its impact on hormone levels.
- Evaluation of GH response to apomorphine in the presence of domperidone.
Main Results:
- Domperidone administration resulted in a significant elevation of prolactin levels.
- The GH response to apomorphine was partially inhibited by domperidone.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral dopamine blockade by domperidone effectively increases prolactin secretion.
- These findings suggest that dopamine pathways external to the blood-brain barrier play a role in regulating both prolactin and growth hormone secretion.