EFFECT OF PENTOXIFYLLINE AND AMINOPHYLLINE ON BIOGENIC-AMINE METABOLISM OF RAT-BRAIN

In the brain of rats injected with pentoxifylline [3,7-dimethyl-1(5-oxo-hexyl)-xanthine] or aminophylline the following was observed: (i) dose-dependent increases of tryptophan and 5-droxyindoleacetic acid levels and of 5-hydroxytryptophan and dihydroxyphenylalanine accumulation after treatment with the decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide HCl; (ii) acceleration of norepinephrine turnover following α-methyl-p-tyrosine; (iii) increase of 3-methoxytyramine accumulation following pargyline. On a molar basis pentoxifylline was more potent than aminophylline in affecting brain biogenic amine metabolism. © 1978.