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Effect of acute ethanol administration on brain levels of tetrahydropapaveroline in L‐dopa‐treated rats
Author(s) -
Cashaw J. L.,
Geraghty C. A.,
McLaughlin B. R.,
Davis V. E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490180318
Subject(s) - dopamine , ethanol , metabolite , chemistry , pharmacology , alkaloid , levodopa , endocrinology , medicine , parkinson's disease , biochemistry , disease , stereochemistry
The effect of ethanol on the concentration of the aberrant dopemine metabolite, tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), in brains of L‐dopa‐treated rats has been evaluated. THP was isolated from rat brain extract by a newly developed multiple stage separation technique that is highly specific for the alkaloid. THP, dopa, and dopamine were assayed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. THP was not found in brains of untreated animals. However, levels of 0.42 pmol THP per g brain were observed in animals that received L‐dopa (200 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection (IP) 90 min before decapitation. Administration of ethanol (3g/kg) IP to L‐dopa‐treated animals at time intervals ranging from 60 to 240 min before decapitation resulted in significant increase in brain levels of THP as compared to L‐dopa‐treated animals. Maximum levels of THP (4.02 to 4.82 pmol/g brain) were observed when ethnol was given at time intervals ranging from 80 to 180 min before the animals were killed. Administration of ethnol and L‐dopa, as compared to the administration of L‐dopa only, markedly increased brain levels of dopa and dopamine. Maximum brain levels of THP, dopa, and dopamine in animals administered ethanol plus L‐dopa as compared with L‐dopa‐treated animals repressented a 1048%, 325%, and 84% increase, respectively. These results strongly support the concept that the concentration of THP in the brain of intact animals can be enhanced by ethanol administration.