[Effect of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus in a cortisol-induced rat model of yang-deficiency].
Eight monoamine neurotransmitters in hypothalamus of normal and cortisol-induced Yang-deficiency rats were measured with HPLC-ECD. These neurotransmitters included: (1) Noradrenaline (NA); (2) Adrenaline (A); (3) 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG); (4) 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC); (5) Dopamine (DA); (6) 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA); (7) Homovanillic acid (HVA); and (8) Serotonin (5-HT). With the mobile phase of 10% methanol-0.15 M chloroacetic acid-sodium hydroxide buffer, the neurotransmitters might be well separated, the sensitivity was similar to that of gas chromatography-mass spectrogram with the lower limit of 0.1 ng, this assay was simple and might be accomplished with half an hour. The Yang-strengthening Chinese herbs Radix Aconiti Praeparata, Cortex, Cinamomi, Epimedium brevicorum and Herba Cistanchis were used in the study and the following were founded: (1) In the hypothalamus of cortisol-induced Yang-deficiency rat NA decreased and a increased when compared with that of the normal controls (both P less than 0.05). (2) After 4 weeks of administration of Yang-strengthening herbs, the NA and A of the Yang-deficiency rats returned to nearly normal and it suggested these herbs have the effect of "supporting the right and recovering the source"; DA markedly increased both in control rats and Yang-deficiency rats (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.001 respectively); DOPAC obviously decreased both in control rats and Yang-deficiency rats (P less than 0.001); 5-HT and 5-HIAA increased in the control rats (both P less than 0.001) and HVA significantly decreased in Yang-deficiency rats. (3) The ratio of DA/DOPAC and 5-HT/5-HIAA markedly increased both in the control and Yang-deficiency rats after using Yang-strengthening herbs (P less than 0.01-0.001) and it suggested Yang-strengthening herbs could inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase in hypothalamus.
Chen
M
M
Shanghai Institute of Endocrinology, Shanghai Second Medical University.
Kuang
A
A
Chen
J
J
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D012701:Serotonin; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine