Endocrinology, Vol 113, 887-892, Copyright © 1983 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Possible mechanism of action of metoclopramide-induced aldosterone secretion: in vivo and in vitro studies in the sheep

TA Wilson, DL Kaiser, MJ Peach, EM Wright and RM Carey

To define further the mechanism by which metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, stimulates aldosterone secretion, seven lambs were injected iv with metoclopramide during a constant infusion of 5% dextrose in water and again during a constant infusion of trimethapan, a ganglionic blocker. In addition, suspensions of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells from the lambs were incubated in vitro in the presence of various concentrations of metoclopramide and known secretagogues. Plasma aldosterone concentrations increased in response to both metoclopramide and trimethaphan. However, during the trimethaphan infusion, no further increase in plasma aldosterone concentrations occurred after metaclopramide injection. In vitro, aldosterone concentrations in the zona glomerulosa cell suspensions increased in the presence of ACTH, potassium, and angiotensin II, but no increase in aldosterone concentration occurred in the presence of metoclopramide. These results suggest that in the sheep, metoclopramide stimulates aldosterone secretion by an indirect mechanism. This mechanism may involve the autonomic nervous system, since ganglionic blockade appeared to abolish the aldosterone response to metoclopramide.