The effect of beta-alanine on motor behaviour, body temperature and cerebral monoamine metabolism in rat.
Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of beta-alanine produced a decrease in rectal temperature, inhibition of exploratory behaviour and motility, and changes in the metabolism of cerebral monoamines. Dopa and 5-HTP accumulation after inhibition of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, NSD 1015 (3-hydroxybencylhydrazine HCl, 100 mg/kg i.p.) was found to be significantly increased in all the dissected cerebral regions of animals treated with beta-alanine, as compared to the controls. Levels of tyrosine and tryptophan did not show any significant change. Endogenous levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), did not change. After inhibition of the catecholamines synthesis with alpha-methyltryrosine (alpha-MT), dopamine depletion was retarded and noradrenaline accelerated, but without reaching statistical significance. After intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of beta-alanine, significant changes in motor behaviour were found. Body temperature and metabolism of brain catecholamine were unchanged. This lack of effect could be explained by poor penetration through the blood-brain barrier.
D000409:Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D015091:beta-Alanine; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D000409:Alanine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine