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Effects of Electroconvulsive Shock on Tetrahydrobiopterin and GTP‐Cyclohydrolase Activity in the Brain and Adrenal Gland of the Rat
Author(s) -
Hossain Mir Ahamed,
Masserano Joseph M.,
Weiner Norman
Publication year - 1992
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.1471-4159.1992.tb10116.x
Subject(s) - locus coeruleus , endocrinology , medicine , biopterin , gtp cyclohydrolase i , tetrahydrobiopterin , hippocampus , adrenal gland , hypothalamus , chemistry , central nervous system , nitric oxide synthase , nitric oxide
The effects of a single and repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS) (300 mA, 0.2 s) on tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ) levels and GTP‐cyclohydrolase activity in the brain and adrenal glands of rats were examined. Twenty‐four hours after the last ECS treatment (one/day for 7 days), biopterin levels were significantly elevated in the locus coeruleus, hippocampus, frontal cortex, hypothalamus, ventral tegmental area, and adrenal gland. There were no changes in biopterin levels after a single application of ECS. GTP‐cyclohydrolase activity was significantly increased in the locus coeruleus, frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and adrenal gland 24 h after repeated ECS and remained elevated in certain tissues up to 8 days after the last treatment. Kinetic analysis of adrenal and locus coeruleus GTP‐cyclohydrolase 1 day after 7 days of ECS showed significant changes in both K m and V max values. These data suggest that the long‐term increases in BH 4 levels and GTP‐cyclohydrolase activity after repeated ECS may play a part in the mediation of the antidepressant effects of ECS.