Dopamine D(3) receptors and salt-dependent hypertension.

Alterations in the dopaminergic system may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Dopamine D(3) receptors have been shown to be involved in the regulation of sodium balance and hemodynamics in rodents. For determining the role of D(3) receptors in salt-dependent hypertension, clearance experiments were performed in anesthetized salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) Dahl rats that were fed a standard diet with either normal (0.