title: β-Adrenergics enhance brain extraction of levodopa.
abstract: We sought to determine whether beta-adrenergic agonists enhance the brain extraction of L-dopa and L-leucine. Systemic administration of beta-adrenergic agonists increase brain concentrations of L-dopa and other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) in rats and monkeys and may improve symptoms and reduce daily L-dopa requirement in patients with Parkinson's disease. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) using [3H]nicotine and the extraction fraction of 14C-labeled L-dopa or L-leucine were measured simultaneously in various brain regions of conscious rats using the dual-isotope indicator fractionation technique after intraperitoneal administration of isoproterenol (a peripheral nonselective beta-adrenergic agonist), or clenbuterol (a beta2-adrenergic agonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier), or beta-adrenergic agonist preceded by nadolol (a peripheral nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist), or saline vehicle. Both beta-adrenergic agonists increased regional brain extraction fraction of L-dopa and L-leucine tracers by 35-45%, without altering regional CBF. These changes were accompanied by about a 30% decrease in plasma branched chain LNAA concentrations. Nadolol blocked all these effects. beta-Adrenergic agonists increase the brain extraction of L-dopa and leucine, mainly by peripheral mechanisms that reduce the levels of other competing plasma LNAAs for transport. Thus, beta-adrenergic agonists might be useful in the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease by enhancing delivery of L-dopa to the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. ergun-uc@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Ergun Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Uc
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dienel
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Sami I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Harik
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D007980:Levodopa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa