Circadian determinations of cortisol, prolactin and melatonin in chronic methyl-phenyl-tetrahydropyridine-treated monkeys.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether prolactin, melatonin and cortisol are altered in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated monkeys and if so, whether MPTP may alter the availability of these hormones in chronic experimental parkinsonism. Furthermore, vegetative and sleep disorders have been described in both parkinsonian patients and in MPTP chronic monkeys; these may result indirectly from concomitant hormonal variations. Seven adult male cynomolgus monkeys were used for this experiment. Five were treated with systemic doses of intravenous MPTP but not with L-DOPA or dopaminergic agonists. In their 3rd year of parkinsonism, plasma samples were obtained day and night at 3-hour intervals. Sample collection was repeated three times for each animal. Prolactin, melatonin and cortisol concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay and compared with samples taken from the control group. Both MPTP-treated monkeys and the control group displayed a similar secretion pattern for the three hormones, except at several specific times when prolactin and melatonin showed significant differences. No changes were found for cortisol. The results suggest a possible alteration of hormonal metabolism in chronic MPTP parkinsonian monkeys.
Barcia
Carlos
C
Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Medical School, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. barcia@um.es
Bautista
Víctor
V
Sánchez-Bahillo
Angel
A
Fernández-Villalba
Emiliano
E
Navarro-Ruis
Juana-María
JM
Barreiro
Andrés Fernández
AF
Poza Y Poza
Máximo
M
Herrero
María-Trinidad
MT
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D011388:Prolactin; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone