Therapeutic effects of arotinolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, on tremor in MPTP-induced parkinsonian monkeys.
The effect of arotinolol, a peripherally acting beta-adrenergic-blocking agent, on postural or kinetic tremor was studied in monkeys with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism. Male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were treated with three injections of MPTP hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) at an interval of 3-4 days, followed by several injections of the same dose every 7 days. Four monkeys with persistent parkinsonian symptoms manifested for greater than 1 year were used. The animals developed mild to moderate degrees of postural or kinetic tremor, and their motor activity was reduced. Arotinolol (20-30 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly suppressed postural tremor in a dose-dependent manner. Propranolol (20-30 mg/kg) was also effective in suppressing the tremor. However, the application of propranolol induced emesis, whereas arotinolol had no adverse effects. These results suggest that arotinolol is a useful adjunct to dopaminergic therapy for tremor in Parkinson's disease.
Kuno
S
S
Department of Neurology, Utano National Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Mizuta
E
E
Nishida
J
J
Takechi
M
M
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; C024523:arotinolol; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D011433:Propranolol