Differential Effect of Carbidopa on the Concentration of Rat Pineal and Hypothalamic Indoleamines |
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| Authors: | Gregory F. Oxenkrug Iain M. Mclntyre Edward A. Novak Lew M. Hryhorczuk Charles E. Frohman |
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| Affiliation: | Psychoendocrine Research Unit (G.F.O., I.M.M.) Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Division of Biochemistry (E.A.N., L.M.H., C.E.F.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit and Lafayette Clinic and Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit |
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| Abstract: | Carbidopa, an aromatic acid decarboxylase inhibitor, has been shown to significantly decrease the pineal concentration of melatonin, N-acetyl serotonin (NAS), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) but not the hypothalamic concentrations of these indoles. Increased levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) indicate that carbidopa directly inhibits 5-HTP decarboxylation, thus limiting 5-HT production. Possible practical implications of selective inhibition of pineal indoleamines by carbidopa are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | carbidopa melatonin indoleamines pineal |
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