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Dopamine, hypertension and obesity

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 16, pages S13–S17 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, precursor of noradrenaline, is responsible for cardiovascular and renal actions, such as increase in myocardial contractility and cardiac output, without changes in heart rate, producing passive and active vasodilatation, diuresis and natriuresis. These cardiovascular and renal actions take place through the interaction with dopamine receptors, D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. Recent findings point to the possibility of D6 and D7receptors. Dopamine is known to influence the control of arterial pressure by influencing the central and peripheral nervous system and target organs such as kidneys and adrenal glands, in some types of hypertension. Although dopamine and its derivatives have been shown to have antihypertensive effects, these are still being studied; therefore it is important to explain some physiological and pharmacological aspects of dopamine, its receptors, and the clinical uses it could have in the treatment of arterial hypertension and more recently in obesity, based on evidence proving a clear association between obesity and the decrease in the expression of D2 receptors in the brain of obese persons.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pharmacology Unit, José María Vargas School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

    F Contreras, C Fouillioux, A Bolívar, N Simonovis & M Velasco

  2. Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Universidad Centroccidental Lisando Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

    R Hernández-Hernández & M J Armas-Hernandez

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  1. F Contreras
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  2. C Fouillioux
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  3. A Bolívar
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  7. M Velasco
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Contreras, F., Fouillioux, C., Bolívar, A. et al. Dopamine, hypertension and obesity. J Hum Hypertens 16 (Suppl 1), S13–S17 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001334

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