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Effect of Theanine, r-Glutamylethylamide, on Brain Monoamines and Striatal Dopamine Release in Conscious Rats

Neurochemical Research volume 23, pages 667–673 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

Theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, is one of the major components of amino acids in Japanese green tea. Effect of theanine on brain amino acids and monoamines, and the striatal release of dopamine (DA) was investigated. Determination of amino acids in the brain after the intragastric administration of theanine showed that theanine was incorporated into brain through blood-brain barrier via leucine-preferring transport system. The concentrations of norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5HIAA) in the brain regions were unaffected by the theanine administration except in striatum. Theanine administration caused significant increases in serotonin and/or DA concentrations in the brain, especially in striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Direct administration of theanine into brain striatum by microinjection caused a significant increase of DA release in a dose-dependent manner. Microdialysis of brain with calcium-free Ringer buffer attenuated the theanine-induced DA release. Pretreatment with the Ringer buffer containing an antagonist of non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptor, MK-801, for 1 hr did not change the significant increase of DA release induced by theanine. However, in the case of pretreatment with AP-5, (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid; antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptor, the theanine-induced DA release from striatum was significantly inhibited. These results suggest that theanine might affect the metabolism and/or the release of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as DA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Shizuoka, Yada, Shizuoka, 422, Japan

    Miki Kobayashi, Mikiko Mochizuki & Takehiko Terashima

  2. Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Shizuoka, Yada, Shizuoka, 422, Japan

    Hidehiko Yokogoshi

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  1. Hidehiko Yokogoshi
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  2. Miki Kobayashi
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  4. Takehiko Terashima
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Yokogoshi, H., Kobayashi, M., Mochizuki, M. et al. Effect of Theanine, r-Glutamylethylamide, on Brain Monoamines and Striatal Dopamine Release in Conscious Rats. Neurochem Res 23, 667–673 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022490806093

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022490806093

  • Theanine
  • serotonin
  • dopamine
  • microdialysis
  • glutamate receptor
  • NMDA receptor