title: Effect of long-term L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine administration on alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelet membranes in neurologic disorders.
abstract: The effects of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS), an unnatural norepinephrine precursor, on alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelet membranes were investigated in a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, two patients with multiple system atrophy, and two patients with Parkinson's disease. Each patient was treated for at least six months. While L-threo-DOPS alone, or in combination with decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide hydrochloride, produced sustained increase in plasma norepinephrine and clinical improvement, it did not induce a change in the number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelet membranes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Adult Disease, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakoda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsujino
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hiraga
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D001545:Benserazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015103:Droxidopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D015016:Yohimbine; D001545:Benserazide; D015103:Droxidopa; D009638:Norepinephrine