SELECTIVE RELEASE OF SEROTONIN BY ENDOGENOUS ALKALOIDS, 1-METHYL-6,7-DIHYDROXY-1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDROISOQUINOLINES, (R)SALSOLINOL AND (S)SALSOLINOL, IN THE RAT STRIATUM - INVIVO MICRODIALYSIS STUDY

Dopamine-derived 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, (R)- and (S)salsolinol, released an enormous amount of serotonin in the rat striatum; the concentration of serotonin increased from undetectable level to 2.53 +/- 0.12 and 3.69 +/- 0.01 muM after perfusion of (R)- and (S)salsolinol, respectively. Salsolinols increased extracellular dopamine level, but to a much lesser degree than serotonin. Other naturally occurring isoquinolines with catechol structure released serotonin and dopamine, but salsolinols were the most potent and selective releaser of serotonin. Serotonin release by salsolinols may be involved in some psychiatric symptoms in L-DOPA therapy or alcoholism.