Central dopamine receptors and their role in digoxin-induced cardiotoxicity in the dog

The role of the dopaminergic system in digoxin-induced cardiotoxicity has been examined. Specific dopaminergic agonists and antagonists were administered into the ventriculocisternal system of pentobarbitone-anaesthetized dogs before systemic administration of digoxin. Pretreatment with apomorphine, a specific dopamine agonist, did not significantly alter the arrhythmogenic or lethal doses of digoxin. However, the digoxin-induce increase in CSF noradrenaline was decreased significantly in apomorphine-pretreated animals. Pretreatment with pimozide, a specific dopamine antagonist, significantly decreased the arrhythmogenic dose of digoxin but did not alter the lethal dose. As with apomorphine, pimozide-pretreated animals accumulated significantly less noradrenaline in CSF compared with control dogs. These results suggest that dopamine receptors are not directly related to the cardiotoxic actions of digoxin. However, dopaminergic receptors may influence the balance of central catecholaminergic systems that influence the peripheral cardiovascular system.