L-Dopa-induced release of cerebral monoamines

KY Ng, TN Chase, RW Colburn, IJ Kopin - Science, 1970 - science.org
KY Ng, TN Chase, RW Colburn, IJ Kopin
Science, 1970science.org
L-Dopa markedly increased the efflux of tritiated dopamine and tritiated serotonin from rat
brain slices. This action appeared contingent on the decarboxylation of L-dopa to dopamine,
since it could be blocked by an inhibitor of L-amino acid decarboxylase. Selective
destruction of catecholamine-containing nerve terminals by 6-hydroxydopamine significantly
decreased the uptake and release of tritiated dopamine but not that of tritiated serotonin.
These observations support the hypothesis that a portion of exogenously administered L …
L-Dopa markedly increased the efflux of tritiated dopamine and tritiated serotonin from rat brain slices. This action appeared contingent on the decarboxylation of L-dopa to dopamine, since it could be blocked by an inhibitor of L-amino acid decarboxylase. Selective destruction of catecholamine-containing nerve terminals by 6-hydroxydopamine significantly decreased the uptake and release of tritiated dopamine but not that of tritiated serotonin. These observations support the hypothesis that a portion of exogenously administered L-dopa may enter central serotonin terminals and undergo decarboxylation to the amine with resultant displacement of the endogenous indoleamine from vesicular stores.
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