8. Dopamine and Essential Hypertension — A Possible Link?

Abstract

A great progress has been made lately in our knowledge of the role of the peripheral dopaminergic system in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. The techniques of molecular biology enabled the better understanding of the structure and function of the dopaminergic receptors. It has been shown that the function of renal dopaminergic system is disturbed in some patients with essential and secondary hypertension. Also the dysfunction of this system was revealed in some types of experimental hypertension. This article summarises recent views on the role of dopamine in the development of hypertension. The clinical implication of specific D1 agonist fenoldopam is also discussed.