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THE ROLE OF BRAIN SEROTONIN IN DDT‐INDUCED HYPERPYREXTA
Author(s) -
Peters D. A. V.,
Hrdina P. D.,
Singhal R. L.,
Ling G. M.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1972.tb01433.x
Subject(s) - pargyline , serotonin , monoamine oxidase , 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid , medicine , endocrinology , monoamine oxidase inhibitor , chemistry , serotonergic , monoamine neurotransmitter , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , receptor
— Administration of a single dose of p,p ′‐DDT to rats resulted in a marked increase in the concentration of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the brain stem. No significant change was observed in the amount of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) following treatment with this insecticide. However, when p,p′ ‐DDT was given to pargyline‐treated rats, a significantly greater increase in serotonin was observed when compared to that with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor alone. The concomitant administration of p,p′ ‐DDT and dl ‐ p ‐chlorophenylalanine not only blocked the observed rise in 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid but also suppressed almost completely the neurotoxic symptoms (hyperpyrexia, tremors and convulsions) seen with the pesticide. In contrast, DL‐6‐fluorotryptophan (a more specific inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) prevented the DDT‐induced rise in body temperature as well as the increase in hydroxyindoleacetic acid, but did not affect the occurrence of tremor and convulsions. Our data suggest that an increase in the turnover rate of brain serotonin may underlie the hyperpyrexia induced by p,p ′‐DDT.