In pharmacological doses dopamine (DA) will interact with several endocrine systems and both inhibit (prolactin, thyrotropin) and enhance (renin, angiotensin) hormonal release. In this study we have examined whether DA given to preterm neonates will influence prostaglandin (PG) production. The question is of importance since vasodilator PGs play a role in postnatal adaptation. We determined the effect of low dose DA infusion on the 24 h urinary PGE2 excretion rate (an index of renal PGE2 synthesis) in preterm infants. Six preterm neonates, with a 24-h requirement of 2 micrograms/kg per min DA treatment for oedema, moderate oliguria, poor peripheral perfusion and/or mild systemic hypotension were studied on days 2 (Day 1), 3 (Day 2, the day of DA infusion), and 4 (Day 3, DA discontinued) of life. Six preterm infants (control group) that did not require DA infusion were also studied to monitor possible spontaneous changes in the renal PGE2 production on days 2, 3 and 4 of life. In the control group urine output (Uv) and PGE2 excretion rate remained unchanged during the study. In the study group DA administration resulted in nearly two-fold increases in both the Uv (194%) and PGE2 excretion (182%). Urinary PGE2 excretion was, however, closely related to urine flow in both the control infants (Day 1-3) and the study group infants (Day 1-2). Since increased diuresis stimulates renal PGE2 production, our data suggest that the increased PGE2 excretion on Day 2 in the study group was not due to a direct effect of DA on PGE2 synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
