Plasma aminopeptidase activities in rats after left and right intrastriatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine

Asymmetries in the neuroendocrine system extend from central structures to paired endocrine glands and their innervation. In addition to the well-known asymmetry in the function of brain dopamine, there are also asymmetries in the peripheral response to experimental hemiparkinsonism, performed by means of lesions of the nigrostriatal system with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injections into the left or right hemisphere. Therefore, it is speculated that the neuroendocrine system would also be asymmetrically affected in experimental hemi-parkinsonism. Aminopeptidases (AP) play a major role in the control of peptide concentration at both central and peripheral levels in tissues and blood, thus reflecting the functional status of their endogenous substrates. Therefore, to evaluate the peripheral response of hemi-parkinsonism, we have performed a comprehensive study of plasma AP activities after lesions of the nigrostriatal system with 6-OHDA administered into either left or right striatum of adult male rats. Saline was injected into control groups. AlaAP, CysAP, AspAP and GluAP activities were determined in plasma, using specific arylamides as substrates. Plasma AlaAP activity increased 3-fold (p < 0.001) whereas AspAP activity decreased by 30% ( p < 0.05) after lesion of the right hemisphere. In contrast, CysAP and GluAP activities increased significantly after lesion of the left hemisphere by 200 and 50%, respectively ( p < 0.05). The main discovery of the present results demonstrates that experimental hemi-parkinsonism affects differentially the plasma AP activities depending on the hemisphere in which the lesion is performed. This suggests that the circulating hormones, susceptible to be hydrolyzed by these enzymatic activities, are also modified. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.