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The effect of various amino acids and drugs on thepara-andmeta-hydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations in the mouse caudate nucleus

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Abstract

Injection ofl-p-tyrosine (800 mg/kg, 2 h) increased the mouse striatalpara-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPAA) concentrations. A smaller dose ofd,l-m-tyrosine (20 mg/kg, 2h) produced a larger increase in mouse striatalmeta-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (m-HPAA) concentrations. The administration ofl-phenylalanine to mice caused a slight increase in thep-HPAA concentrations in the corpus striatum after 2h while a larger dose ofl-phenylalanine (800 mg/kg) produced a greater increase. Eight hours followingl-phenylalanine injection,p-HPAA concentrations were still elevated. Withd-phenylalanine a significant increase was observed at eight hours after drug administration.

Two drugs which reduce dopamine synthesis, α-methyl-para-tyrosine and apomorphine, decreasedm-HPAA striatal concentrations without affectingp-HPAA concentrations. From these results, it is proposed that tyrosine hydroxylase activity determinesp-HPAA concentrations by regulatingp-tyrosine availability. This enzyme may also synthesizem-tyrosine which is subsequently decarboxylated to formm-tyramine and then oxidatively deaminated to formm-HPAA.

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Author notes

  1. P. S. McQuade

    Present address: Douglas Hospital Research Centre, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., H4H 1R3, Verdun, Quebec

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Research Division, University of Saskatchewan, Cancer and Medical Research Building, S7N 0W0, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

    P. S. McQuade & A. V. Juorio

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  2. A. V. Juorio
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McQuade, P.S., Juorio, A.V. The effect of various amino acids and drugs on thepara-andmeta-hydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations in the mouse caudate nucleus. Neurochem Res 8, 903–912 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964551

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