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An investigation of the importance of the adrenal gland to the action of dopamine in the rat kidney
Author(s) -
Akpaffiong M.J.,
Redfern P.H.,
Woodward B.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1983.tb10501.x
Subject(s) - adrenal gland , dopamine , action (physics) , kidney , endocrinology , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
1 In the rat, administration of dopamine is associated with diuresis, natriuresis and a decreased excretion of K + . The site of action of dopamine in mediating these responses has been investigated. 2 Urine volume, and urinary Na + , K + , Cl − and dopamine concentrations have been measured in adrenalectomized and sham‐operated male Wistar rats. 3 As expected, adrenalectomy decreased urine volume and increased Na + and Cl − excretion; at the same time the amount of dopamine excreted fell, and K + excretion did not change. 4 Administration of either 3% NaCl (20 ml/kg orally) or frusemide (100 mg/kg s.c.) significantly elevated dopamine excretion after adrenalectomy. 5 When dopamine, 1, 10 and 30 mg/kg (s.c.) was given to adrenalectomized rats, the diuresis and fall in K + excretion seen in control animals was still present. No further natriuresis, over and above the already high urinary Na + levels, was observed. 6 The results show that the three actions of dopamine in inducing diuresis and natriuresis, and decreasing K + excretion, are clearly separable. 7 It is further argued that in mediating these effects the main site of action of dopamine is the kidney rather than the adrenal gland.