Chronic L-tyrosine alters the locomotor activity and brain monoamine levels in Roborovskii hamsters.
The Roborovskii hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) has high locomotor activity (hyperactivity) and low dopamine levels in the brain compared with the congeneric Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). To clarify the efficacy of dietary l-tyrosine in ameliorating signs of hyperactivity, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of l-tyrosine, the primary precursor of dopamine, on locomotor activity and brain monoamine levels in Roborovskii hamsters. Chronic supplementation of l-tyrosine had no effect on locomotor activity in the open field, but did decrease locomotor activity in the home cage. Tyrosine increased dopamine and norepinephrine turnover rates and decreased in serotonin turnover rate in the brain. These findings suggest that long-term feeding of l-tyrosine may be effective in ameliorating signs of hyperactivity.
Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.
Yusuke
Y
Kabuki
Kazutaka
K
Shigemi
Kousuke
K
Hamasu
D Michael
DM
Denbow
Mitsuhiro
M
Furuse
D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D014443:Tyrosine