title: L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine enhances the orthostatic responses of plasma renin activity and angiotensin II in multiple system atrophy.
abstract: We evaluated the effect of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS) on the response of blood pressure and vasoactive factors during head-up tilt in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). After the daily oral administration of 300 mg L-threo-DOPS for 2 weeks we observed a significant reduction in the decline of systolic blood pressure during 60 degrees head-up-tilt. In concordance with this result, we detected significant increases in postural changes in plasma renin activity and angiotensin II following L-threo-DOPS treatment. The enhanced responses of these vasoactive mediators by L-threo-DOPS during head-up tilt may contribute to the improvement in orthostatic hypotension in patients with MSA.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000446:Aldehyde-Lyases / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*