Changes in rat hypothalamic and brain stem catecholamine concentrations following acute administration of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase inhibitors.
The effect of acute phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) inhibition on rat brain catecholamine concentrations was studied. All PNMT inhibitors tested were effective in depleting hypothalamic and brain stem epinephrine. Norepinephrine concentrations were unaffected; however, dopamine levels were increased in all areas studied. While several possible explanations are offered for this phenomenon, the mechanism is not yet understood.
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000032:analysis*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D002395:Catecholamines; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase