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EVIDENCE FOR A DOPAMINERGIC ACTIVITY OF METHYSERGIDE IN HUMANS
Author(s) -
OPPIZZI G.,
VERDE G.,
STEFANO L.,
COZZI R.,
BOTALLA L.,
LIUZZI A.,
CHIODINI P. G.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1977.tb01325.x
Subject(s) - methysergide , bromocriptine , prolactin , dopaminergic , medicine , endocrinology , sulpiride , drug , pharmacology , dopamine , hormone , antagonist , receptor
SUMMARY The acute administration of 2 mg of methysergide significantly reduced plasma prolactin levels in nine normal subjects and in seven hyperprolactinaemic patients. The prolactin lowering effect of this drug was abolished by sulpiride. Moreover methysergide lowered plasma GH levels in four out of nine acromegalic patients, who were also responsive to a dopaminergic drug such as bromocriptine. Although methysergide did not significantly blunt the TRH‐induced prolactin release, our data suggest that this drug may affect GH and prolactin release through a dopaminergic mechanism of action. This effect should be taken into account when methysergide is employed as antiserotoninergic drug in neuroendocrinological studies.