L-Dopa-induced release of cerebral monoamines.
L-Dopa markedly increased the efflux of tritiated dopamine and tritiated serotonin from rat brain slices. This action appeared contingent on the decarboxylation of L-dopa to dopamine, since it could be blocked by an inhibitor of L-amino acid decarboxylase. Selective destruction of catecholamine-containing nerve terminals by 6-hydroxydopamine significantly decreased the uptake and release of tritiated dopamine but not that of tritiated serotonin. These observations support the hypothesis that a portion of exogenously administered L-dopa may enter central serotonin terminals and undergo decarboxylation to the amine with resultant displacement of the endogenous indoleamine from vesicular stores.
D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014316:Tritium
D014316:Tritium; D012701:Serotonin; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D004298:Dopamine