QUINOLINIC ACID - EFFECTS ON BRAIN CATECHOLAMINE AND CAMP CONTENT DURING L-DOPA AND RESERPINE ADMINISTRATION

The catecholamine content in rat brain tissue was determined following the administration of quinolinic acid alone or combined either with L-dopa and decarboxylase inhibitor or reserpine. Quinolinic acid alone decreased the levels of dopamine and noradrenaline, as well as those of c-AMP, and increased those of adrenaline. Treatment with L-dopa/decarboxylase inhibitor reversed the suppressing effect of quinolinic acid on dopamine, but not on noradrenaline. Reserpine alone depleted the contents of dopamine, noradrenaline and. adrenaline. It could be concluded from the effects of quinolinic acid and reserpine given together that quinolinic acid suppresses the depletion of amines induced by reserpine. It has been demonstrated that quinolinic acid leads to injuries of nerve-cell bodies in pars compacta of the substantia nigra and in the striatum.