• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 1995

The changes in the levels of the extracellular dopamine metabolites and the responses to various dopamine agents were studied by using microdialysis inhyperglycemic rat striatum. The hyperglycemia were induced by the administriation of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, i.p. for 3 days.). The basal levels of striatal dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were significantly decreased in hyperglycemic rat striatum. After the administration ofl D-1 and D-2 receptor antagonists, SCH-23390 and (-)sulpiride, to rats 14 days after the last administration of STZ, the increased rates in DOPAC levels were higher in hyper- than in normoglycemic rats. However, after the administration of dopamine autoeceptor agonist, 3(-)PPP, the levels of the extracellular HVA were increased in normoglycemic rats, but those were not altered in hyperglycemic rats. The results indicate that the striatal dopamine activities were decreased in the hyperglycemic rats and suggest that release of dopamine may be decreased in hyperglycemic rats. Furthermore it suggest that the increase in the levels of the extracellular dopamine metabolites by dopamine antagonists might be dur to the incrrased sensitivities of the dopamine receptors in hyperglycemic state.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 2010

The effects of sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells were investigated. Sesamin at concentration ranges of 20-75 ${\mu}M$ significantly increased intracellular dopamine levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activities at 24 h: 50 ${\mu}M$ sesamin increased dopamine levels to 132% and TH activities to 128% of control levels. Sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) induced the phosphorylation of TH, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) for 0.5-24 h. Sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) also increased the mRNA levels of TH and CREB for 3-24 h. In addition, sesamin (50 ${\mu}M$) associated with L-DOPA (50 and 100 ${\mu}M$) further increased the intracellular levels of dopamine for 24 h compared to L-DOPA alone. These results suggest that sesamin enhances dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine levels by inducing TH activity and TH gene expression, which is mediated by PKA-CREB systems in PC12 cells. Therefore, sesamin could serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient for neurodegenerative diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.311-322
• /
• 1990

This study primarily attempted to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on stereotyped behavior. Furthermore, an extensive experiment was conducted to examine the cortex methamphetamine concentration and levels of dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites in striatum, septum and hypothalamus. Following treatment with 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, stereotyped behavior was observed in 10 minutes. Consequently female rats displayed more intense and longer lasting activity than the male. The concentration of cortex methamphetamine was even higher in female than male. The administration of methamphetamine increased the rate of dopamine turnover-i.e. lower dopamine, higher homovanillic acid in the striatum, septum. The highest rate was found in the striatum. Methamphetamine decreased the levels of serotonin, and its metabolite of 5-indoleacetic acid in the striatum, septum. An intensity in behavioral response was accompanied by an increase in dopamine turnover, a decrease in serotonergic transmission. The reduction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid-i.e. the metabolite of dopamine was due not to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of catechol-O-methyltransferase. The phenomenon of biogenic amines by methamphetamine concurred upon the concentration of methamphetamine in the brain. This process preceded stereotyped behavior. After single injection of 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, the levels of biogenic amines recovered within 6 hours.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.7
• /
• pp.493-499
• /
• 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the midbrain, which results in decreased dopamine levels accompanied by movement symptoms. Oral administration of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa), the precursor of dopamine, provides initial symptomatic relief, but abnormal involuntary movements develop later. A deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying dopamine homeostasis is thus critically needed for the development of a successful treatment. Here, we show that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) controls dopamine levels. Constitutively active PAK4 (caPAK4) stimulated transcription of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) via the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) transcription factor. Moreover, caPAK4 increased the catalytic activity of TH through its phosphorylation of S⁴⁰, which is essential for TH activation. Consistent with this result, in human midbrain tissues, we observed a strong correlation between phosphorylated PAK4^S474, which represents PAK4 activity, and phosphorylated TH^S40, which reflects their enzymatic activity. Our findings suggest that targeting the PAK4 signaling pathways to restore dopamine levels may provide a new therapeutic approach in PD.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To investigate the effects of (-)-3-PPP(0.5, 2, and 10mg/kg, s.c.) and haloperidol(0.1, 0.5, and 2mg/kg, s.c.) on the extracellular dopamine concentrations, and the effect of pretreatment with (-)-3-PPP(2mg/kg) on the haloperidol(2mg/kg)-induced extracellular dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens(NAS) of free moving rats. Methods : Dopamine levels in dialysate were determined with high pressure liquid chromatography(HPLC) with electrochemical detection(ECD). Results : (1)(-)-3-PPP had dual actions depending on the doses: at 2mg/kg, it decreased and at 10mg/kg, increased extracellular dopamine concentrations ; (2) haloperidol at all doses increased dopamine levels with higher dose having a greater increase; and (3) pretreatment of (-)-3-PPP reduced the increase in dopamine levels elicited by acute treatment with haloperidol. Conclusions : These findings suggest that pretreatment of (-)-3-PPP in low dose could accelerate the onset of therapeutic effect of haloperidol by diminishing the haloperidol-induced dopamine release in the limbic system.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.271-276
• /
• 1995

Changes in the distribution of dopamine and its metabolites, activities of monoamine oxidase, and dopamine uptake were studied inhyperglycemic rat striatum. The hyperglycemia was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg, i.p. for 3 days.). The levels of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid were significantly decreased without change in dopamine level in the synatic cleft 14 days after STZ treatment. In the synaptosome, the dopamine level, however, was significanly increased after the treatment. But the DOPAC level in the synaptosome was decreased 14 days after the treatment. The affinity of dopamine uptake was significantly decreased without changes in the velocity 14 days after the treatment. However the response to uptqke inhibitor was unchanged. The striatal monoamine oxidase activities were also decreased in the hyperglycemic state. These results indicate that various parameters of striatal dopamine activities were decreased in the hyperglycemic rats. Furthermore, it suggests that the increase in dopamine level of synaptosome might be due to the decrease in the release of dopaine in hyperglycemic state.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 2008

The effects of harman and norharman on dopamine content and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity were investigated in PC12 cells. Harman and norharman decreased the intracellular dopamine content for 24 h. The $IC_{50}$ values of harman and norharman were 20.4 ${\mu}M$ and 95.8 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and TH mRNA levels were also decreased by 20 ${\mu}M$ harman and 100 ${\mu}M$ norharman. Under the same conditions, the intracellular cyclic AMP levels were decreased by harman and norharman. In addition, harman and norharman at concentrations higher than 80 ${\mu}M$ and 150 ${\mu}M$ caused cytotoxicity at 24 h in PC12 cells. Non-cytotoxic ranges of 10-30 ${\mu}M$ harman and 50-150 ${\mu}M$ norharman inhibited L-DOPA (20-50 ${\mu}M$)-induced increases of dopamine content at 24 h. Harman at 20-150 ${\mu}M$ and norharman at 100-300 ${\mu}M$ also enhanced LDOPA (20-100 ${\mu}M$)-induced cytotoxicity at 24 h. These results suggest that harman and norharman decrease dopamine content by reducing TH activity and aggravate L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.296-300
• /
• 2014

The present study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. Treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 and $50{\mu}M$) increased intracellular dopamine levels and enhanced L-DOPA-induced increase in dopamine levels in PC12 cells. (-)-Sesamin (25 and $50{\mu}M$) also induced the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-dependent kinase A (PKA), cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in PC12 cells. These results suggest that (-)-sesamin induces dopamine biosynthesis via the PKA-CREB-TH pathways in PC12 cells. (-)-Sesamin needs to be studied further to serve as an adjuvant phytonutrient in neurodegenerative disease.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.99-102
• /
• 2018

This study investigated the effects of ombuoside, a flavonol glycoside, on dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. Ombuoside at concentrations of 1, 5, and $10{\mu}M$ increased intracellular dopamine levels at 1 - 24 h. Ombuoside (1, 5, and $10{\mu}M$) also significantly increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (Ser40) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB) (Ser133) at 0.5 - 6 h. In addition, ombuoside (1, 5, and $10{\mu}M$) combined with L-DOPA (20, 100, and $200{\mu}M$) further increased intracellular dopamine levels for 24 h compared to L-DOPA alone. These results suggest that ombuoside regulates dopamine biosynthesis by modulating TH and CREB activation in PC12 cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 1996

Changes in dopaminergic activities were investigated after the intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of ethylcholine aziridium (AF64A) in rats. The levels of dopamine (DA) and metabolites, the activities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO), and the specific binding sites of dopamine receptros in striata, hippocampus, and frontal cortex were assessed 6 days after the AF64A treatment with 3 nmol/each ventrcle. In frontal cortex, the levels of DA and metabolities were significantly decreased without changes in metabolites/DA ratios in the AF64A-treated groups. In contrast, the ratios of metabolites/DA were significantly decreased in striatum and hippocampus in the AF64A treatment. The activity of TH in frontal cortex was significantly decreased. However, that in other areas was not changed. Also the activity of MAO-A was not changed in the studied brain regions. However, the activity of MAO-B in striatum was significantly increased with no change in other areas. The specific binding sites of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors were increased in AF64A-treated frontal cortex. However, those were not changed in striatum and hippocampus except the small decreased specific binding sites of dopamine D-1 receptors in striatum after AF64A treatment. These results indicate that the dopaminergic activity was altered in AF64A treatment. Furthermore, it suggest that the decreased dopaminergic activities in each brain regions might be differently affected by AF64A treatment.