Tolerance to peripheral, but not central, effects of ropinirole, a selective dopamine D2-like receptor agonist

Studies were conducted to determine possible development, and underlying mechanisms, of tolerance to the hypotensive effects of ropinirole (4-[2-(dipropylamino)ethyl]-1-3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one HCl), a selective dopamine receptor agonist, following twice daily oral administration to cynomolgus monkeys and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Tolerance to the hypotensive effects of the compound developed in both species within one week of repeated dosing. Tolerance which developed in rats was dose-related and could not be attributed to altered plasma/drug concentrations or be overcome by increasing the i.v. challenge dose of ropinirole. Cross-tolerance was shown to the dopamine receptor agonist bromocriptine. Similar hypotensive responses to bethanidine were seen in rats treated with ropinirole or vehicle. Tolerance to hypolocomotor effects of the compound were not apparent in the same time frame. The dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, domperidone, caused hypertension in ropinirole-but not vehicle-treated rats. Results reported in this paper are not consistent with a down-regulation of peripheral dopamine D2-like receptors but suggest a compensatory increase in basal sympathetic tone.