In vivo and in vitro studies on the effect of metoclopramide on aldosterone secretion.

Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist drug, elevated plasma aldosterone and prolactin levels without significantly affecting plasma renin activity, ACTH or potassium. Studies with isolated perfused rat zona glomerulosa cells showed that metoclopramide could directly stimulate aldosterone release and that this action was blocked by dopamine. These results suggest that dopamine may play an important inhibitory role in the control of aldosterone secretion.