title: L-tyrosine fails to potentiate several peripheral actions of the sympathomimetics.
abstract: We have recently reported the ability of L-tyrosine (L-TYR) to potentiate the anorectic activity of various mixed-acting sympathomimetics including phenylpropanolamine (PPA), l-ephedrine (EPH) and d-amphetamine (AMP). Included in those studies was the attenuation of L-TYR's effect when coadministered with L-valine, a large neutral amino acid which competes with L-TYR for uptake into the brain, suggesting a central locus for the action of L-TYR. To determine to what extent L-TYR can potentiate peripheral actions, we investigated the effects of L-TYR with either PPA (20 mg/kg), EPH (20 mg/kg) or AMP (1.75 mg/kg) on gastric transit, gastric retention and intrascapular brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. In each of the paradigms studied, PPA, EPH and AMP significantly increased the expected sympathomimetic-mediated response, but no potentiation of L-TYR was observed. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that L-TYR potentiates the anorectic activity of the mixed-acting sympathomimetics largely via an action at a central locus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston 02115.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Maher
mesh_terms: D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014633:Valine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001067:Appetite Depressants; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D014443:Tyrosine; D004809:Ephedrine; D014633:Valine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine