title: Effects of L-tyrosine on mixed-acting sympathomimetic-induced pressor actions.
abstract: We previously reported the ability of L-tyrosine (L-TYR) to potentiate the anorectic activity of various mixed-acting sympathomimetics including [R*S*]-(+/-)-norephedrine [phenylpropanolamine (PPA)], [1R,2S]-(-)-ephedrine (EPH), and [S]-(+)-amphetamine (AMPH) in hyperphagic rats. Included in those studies was the attenuation of L-TYR's effect when coadministered with L-valine, a large neutral amino acid that competes with L-TYR for uptake into the brain, suggesting a central locus for the action of L-TYR. Additional studies demonstrated the inability of L-TYR to alter the peripherally mediated PPA-, EPH-, and AMPH-induced increases in gastrointestinal transit time and retention and intrascapular brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Because the mixed-acting sympathomimetics are known to increase blood pressure, these studies examined the ability of L-TYR to influence the pressor responses to PPA, EPH, and AMPH (0.03-1 mg/kg) in urethane-anesthetized rats. Each of the mixed-acting sympathomimetics significantly increased mean arterial, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures when administered alone, but no potentiation by L-TYR was observed. These results demonstrate the inability of L-TYR to potentiate the peripheral vasopressor effects of PPA, EPH, and AMPH. These data, in conjunction with our previous findings, suggest that the potentiation by L-TYR of the mixed-acting sympathomimetics is largely restricted to centrally mediated responses.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Boston 02115.
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Hull
authors: T J
authors: TJ
authors: Maher
mesh_terms: D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013566:Sympathomimetics; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D014443:Tyrosine; D000661:Amphetamine; D004809:Ephedrine