Localization of dopamine receptors in the rabbit renal artery: a histoautoradiographic study

Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation by dopamine in the rabbit pulmonary artery

1. The relaxing response of dopamine (DA) was studied in the rabbit pulmonary artery. DA caused concentration-related relaxation in helically cut strips of the artery contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha in the presence of prazosin. 2. The DA-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded strips was reduced to about 40% compared with that in endothelium-intact strips. 3. Methylene blue and haemoglobin, inhibitors of endothelium-dependent relaxation, reduced the DA-induced relaxations in endothelium-intact strips to the level of endothelium-denuded strips. These results indicate that the DA-induced relaxation is partially mediated or modified by the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). 4. Apomorphine, as a DA agonist, caused concentration-dependent relaxation in endothelium-intact strips. Bromocriptine, a DA2 agonist, produced only a little relaxation at higher concentration. 5. In endothelium-intact strips, haloperidol, a DA antagonist, and the DA1 antagonists, fluphenazine and SCH 23390 inhibited DA-induced relaxations. On the other hand spiperone and domperidone, DA2 antagonists, were inactive. 6. In endothelium-denuded strips, fluphenazine and SCH 23390 inhibited DA-induced relaxations, but domperidone was inactive. 7. These results indicate that the DA-induced relaxation is mediated by DA receptors, and that DA1 receptors are involved in both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation in the rabbit pulmonary artery.

Dopamine receptors in the developing sheep kidney

These studies were designed to characterize dopamine receptor density and affinity in kidneys removed from sheep of varying ages (fetal, newborn, and adult) using radioligand binding methods. Three different radioligands were used: the specific dopamine-1 antagonist 3H-SCH 23390, the dopamine-1/dopamine-2 antagonist 3H-haloperidol, and the dopamine-2 antagonist 3H-spiroperidol. The specific binding of 3H-haloperidol and 3H-spiroperidol was saturable with time and ligand concentration, being indicative of dopamine receptors. The specific binding of the dopamine-1 selective radioligand 3H-SCH 23390 was also saturable with time but displayed several points of saturation with increasing ligand concentration. The specific binding of 3H-haloperidol, which had a low affinity and is indicative of dopamine-1 receptors, showed no age-related changes in maximum receptor density or affinity. On the other hand, the maximum receptor density of dopamine-2 receptors measured by 3H-spiroperidol decreased with age. The observations that renal dopamine-1 receptor density or affinity do not change with maturation are in agreement with our previous studies that showed no age-related changes in dopamine-receptor-mediated renal vasodilatation in sheep. The significance of the decrease in renal dopamine-2 receptor density with age remains to be determined.

Renal hemodynamics and natriuresis induced by the dopamine-1 agonist, SKF 82526

The intrarenal infusion of dopamine (DA) during alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade has been reported to increase renal blood flow (RBF) and sodium excretion by occupation of DA-1 receptors. In addition, DA may potentially influence renal function by occupation of DA-2 receptor subtypes. This study was designed to examine the hemodynamic and/or tubular mechanisms of the natriuretic effect of DA-1 in dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital. The intrarenal infusion of the DA-1 agonist, SKF 82526 (10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7) M), resulted in dose related increases in RBF and absolute and fractional sodium excretion. These changes were not associated with alterations in urinary prostaglandin E2, F2 alpha, or kallikrein excretion. To determine the role of RBF in the natriuresis due to SKF 82526 infusion (10(-7) M), the renal artery was constricted to return RBF to control levels during continued SKF 82526 infusion. Although absolute and fractional sodium excretion decreased during this maneuver, they remained higher than control. These studies support both a hemodynamic and a tubular mechanism for the natriuretic effect of the DA-1 agonist, SKF 82526. These effects do not appear to be mediated by the renal prostaglandin or kallikrein systems.

Changes of [3H]spiroperidol binding in the renal artery of aged rabbits

Using mature (12 months), old (70 months) rabbits and 3H-labeled spiroperidol, the characteristics of renal artery dopamine receptors were studied. In old age the dissociation constant of [3H]spiroperidol was unchanged, while maximum specific binding was reduced more than 45%. The present data seem to indicate an impairment of peripheral dopaminergic function in ageing.

Age-associated decrease of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rabbit renal artery

Using renal arteries from young (6 months), mature (18 months) and old (70 months) rabbits, the effect of dopamine on 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) generation was studied. No significant differences in basal adenylate cyclase values were found in homogenates of renal artery from young, mature or old rabbits. The protein content of the renal artery was also unchanged during the lifespan. Dopamine stimulated the production of cAMP. The stimulatory effect of dopamine was similar in the renal artery of young and mature rabbits but was lower by about 40% in old rabbits. The present results led us to hypothesize an impairment of the peripheral dopaminergic system in old age similar to that described for the central dopaminergic system.