Lack of effect of prolactin inhibition by alpha-bromoergocriptine (CB 154) on plasma aldosterone in anephric and non-nephrectomized patients on regular haemodialysis.

To investigate whether a direct influence exists between the prolactin suppressive effect of alpha-bromoergocriptine (CB 154) and the aldosterone response to a potassium stimulation, the present study was performed in 7 anephric patients and in 7 non-nephrectomized patients, all on regular haemodialysis. The increase in the plasma potassium concentration between dialysis was used as a stimulus to the adrenals, and was correlated to the increase in the plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC). Plasma samples were obtained during a control period and during a corresponding period of treatment with bromocriptine. Despite a significant fall in the prolactin levels during the bromocriptine treatment, no differences in the aldosterone response to the increasing potassium concentration in the two periods were found neither in the anephric nor in the non-nephrectomized patients. It is concluded that depression of prolactin levels by the dopamine agonist (bromocriptine) has no influence on the ability of the adrenals to react with an increase in aldosterone secretion following potassium stimulation in dialysis patients with and without preserved renin-angiotensin system.