Summary
A method for the chromatographic separation (Dowex 50 W, X-4) and fluorimetric determination of 3-methoxytyramine in brain tissue is described. The chromatographic procedure is an extension of the method for the separation of noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine published by Atack and Magnusson (1970) and can be combined with that for monoamine precursors described by Kehr et al. (1972). 3-Methoxytyramine is eluted in N ethanolic (50%)-HCl and oxidized with potassium ferricyanide in ammonium hydroxide solution. Compared with previously published methods, the sensitivity is increased 2 to 5 fold. Reproducibility, recovery and specificity of the method are satisfactory. The level of 3-methoxytyramine found in normal rat brain is below the limit of sensitivity (10 ng/g). The amount of 3-methoxytyramine accumulating after inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) differs depending on the inhibitor used. These differences in 3-methoxytyramine formation might be due to incomplete MAO inhibition, changes in dopamine synthesis, and releasing activity of the compounds investigated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andén, N.-E., Ross, B.-E., Werdinius, B.: On the occurrence of homovanillic acid in brain and cerebrospinal fluid and its determination by a fluorimetric method. Life Sci. 7, 448–458 (1963)
Atack, C. V.: The determination of dopamine by a modification of the dihydroxyindole fluorimetric assay. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 48, 699–714 (1973)
Atack, C., Lindqvist, M.: Conjoint native and orthophthaldialdehyde-condensate assays for the fluorimetric determination of 5-hydroxyindoles in brain. Naunyn-Schmiedberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 279, 267–284 (1973)
Atack, C. V., Magnusson, T.: Individual elution of noradrenaline (together with adrenaline), dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine from a single, strong cation exchange column by means of mineral acid-organic solvent mixtures. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 22, 625–627 (1970)
Bertler, Å., Carlsson, A., Rosengren, E.: A method for the fluorimetric determination of adrenaline and noradrenaline in tissues. Acta physiol. scand. 44, 273–292 (1958)
Carlsson, A., Lindqvist, M.: Effect of chlorpromazine or haloperidol on formation of 3-methoxytyramine and normetanephrine in mouse brain. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 20, 140–144 (1963)
Carlsson, A., Lindqvist, M., Magnusson, T.: On the biochemistry and possible functions of dopamine and noradrenaline in brain. In: Ciba Foundation Symposium on Adrenergic Mechanisms, Eds. J.R. Vane, G. E. W. Wolstenholme, and M. O'Connor, pp. 432–439. London: J. & A. Churchill Ltd. 1960
Carlsson, A., Waldeck, B.: A method for the fluorimetric determination of 3-methoxytyramine in tissue and the occurrence of this amine in brain. Scand. J. clin. Lab. Invest. 16, 133–138 (1964)
Corrodi, H., Werdinius, B.: Oxidative conversion of homovanillic acid to a fluorescent compound. Acta chem. scand. 19, 1854–1858 (1965)
Crawford, T. B. B., Yates, C. M.: A method for the estimation of catecholamines and their metabolites in brain tissue. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 38, 56–71 (1970)
Fahn, S., Prasad, A. L. N., Delesie, R.: A reliable and simple method for simultaneous determination of dopa and 3-0-methyldopa in plasma and brain. Analyt. Biochem. 46, 557–575 (1972)
Guldberg, H. C., Sharman, D. F., Tegerdine, P. R.: Some observations on the estimation of 3-methoxytyramine in brain tissue. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 42, 505–511 (1971)
Jonas, W., Scheel-Krüger, J.: Amphetamine induced stereotyped behavior correlated with the accumulation of O-methylated dopamine. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 177, 379–389 (1969)
Kehr, W., Carlsson, A., Lindqvist, M.: A method for the determination of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) in brain. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 274, 273–280 (1972)
Laverty, R., Taylor, K. M.: The fluorometric assay of catecholamines and related compounds: improvements and extensions to the hydroxyindole technique. Analyt. Biochem. 22, 269–279 (1968)
Lindqvist, M.: Quantitative estimation of 5-hydroxy-3-indole acetic acid and 5-hydroxytryptophan in the brain following isolation by means of a strong cation exchange column. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 29, 303–313 (1971)
Lisch, H.-J., Aigner, A., Hornykiewicz, O.: Dopamin-Stoffwechsel im Nucleus caudatus des Kaninchens nach partieller Hemmung der Gehirn-Monoaminooxydase mittels Nialamid. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmak. exp. Path. 261, 289–297 (1968)
Tagliamonte, A., Tagliamonte, P., Gessa, G. L.: Reserpine-like action of chlorpromazine on rabbit basal ganglia. J. Neurochem. 17, 733–738 (1970)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kehr, W. A method for the isolation and determination of 3-methoxytyramine in brain tissue. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 284, 149–158 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00501119
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00501119