A novel mechanism of hypoglycemic effect of a dopamine D2 receptor agonist Bromocriptine

Abstract

[Backgrounds]

Bromocriptine has been used to treat type 2 diabetes in the US but this apparent mechanism is well unknown. We examined the hypoglycemic effect of bromocriptine, focusing on gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes.

[Methods]

The expression levels of G6Pase and PEPCK1 mRNA were measured in both the liver isolated from rats treated orally with bromocriptine for 2 weeks and the HepG2 cells treated with bromocriptine.

[Results and Discussion]

G6Pase and PEPCK1 mRNA levels were decreased in both the rat liver and HepG2 cells. Bromocriptine may directly inhibit gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes.