title: Effects of acute ethanol administration on regional serotonin turnover.
abstract: Numerous studies show the role of biogenic amines in the effects of ethanol. The present work analyzed the effect of an acute sedative-hypnotic dose of ethanol (4 g/kg) on the levels of tryptophan, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindol-acetic acid (5-HIAA), the serotonin synthesis rate and the 5-HIAA elimination rate in several regions of the brain. The 5-HT synthesis rate was not enhanced by ethanol administration, despite increases in brain tryptophan, 5-HT and 5-HIAA, which were primarily in the medulla-pons. The increased indole levels could be due to inhibition of 5-HIAA elimination from the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lafuente
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Melgar
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Veira
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Aldegunde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D000431:Ethanol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid