Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Inhibits the Aldosterone Response to Metoclopramide in Patients With Glomerular Disease and Essential Hypertension

We examined the effects of metoclopramide (MCP: 10 mg i.v.) on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone concentrations (PAC) and the effect of ANP on MCP-induced PAC in four patients with primary glomerular diseases and seven patients with essential hypertension. 2. MCP injection caused no significant changes in plasma ANP. MCP produced a marked increase in PAC without a significant change in plasma renin activity. 3. The increase in PAC induced by MCP injection was markedly attenuated when preceded by the infusion of ANP (25 ng/kg per min). 4. These results suggest that the dopaminergic D2 mechanism is not involved in the regulation of ANP secretion and that ANP modulates the dopaminergic regulation of aldosterone secretion.