Lack of influence of isoproterenol, propranolol, and dopamine on immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in normal man.

Available evidence in vitro and in vivo suggests that pharmacologic doses of isoproterenol stimulate the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) and propranolol inhibits secretion. However, the findings in man are either quite modest or inconsistent. In view of this controversy, we examined the effects of isoproterenol, 0.15 micrograms intradermally (i.d.), dopamine, 5 micrograms/kg body weight over 60 min intravenously (i.v.), and propranolol, 1 mg over 5 min followed by 60 micrograms per min for 2 i.v. in normal human subjects. It was found that these agents did not alter serum calcium, serum immunoreactive PTH, or plasma immunoreactive CT. The findings do not support a physiologic role for biogenic amines in the control and regulation of PTH or CT secretion in normal man.