The mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid aggravates reserpine-induced oral dyskinesia in rats

The effects of a previous long-term administration of the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid were studied on an animal model of tardive dyskinesia, i.e., die frequency of spontaneous tongue protrusions in rats repeatedly treated with reserpine. 3-Nitropropionic acid (10 or 15 mg/kg ip, every other day for 17 days) potentiated the increase in tongue-protrusion frequency induced by reserpine (1 mg/kg, sc, every other day for 3 days) but did not modify reserpine-induced increase in immobility duration and decrease in locomotion frequency. These results support the notion that neurotoxic events are associated with the development of tardive dyskinesia. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.