Abstract
We have measured the dopamine levels in some discrete rat brain regions after acute intraperitoneal administration of saxitoxin (STX). STX is one of the several toxins that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). PSP is a serious public health concern through the world. Certain dinoflagellates are able of producing STX, a powerful neurotoxic compound, which blocks the voltage sensitive sodium channels, entailing to the appearance of the main symptoms of poisoning by PSP: muscular paralysis and respiratory depression. The goal in this study was to analyze the effect of STX on dopamine levels in discrete rat brain regions after its acute intraperitoneal administration. Different experimental periods were analyzed for STX doses (5 and 10μgkg−1 body weight). With low dose, experimental periods were: 30, 60 and 120min. With high dose, experimental period was just 30min. At the end of each experimental period, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Brains were removed and dissected in: hypothalamus, striatum, midbrain, brain stem, right and left hemispheres. This is to our knowledge, the first report in which a sublethal dose of STX administered intraperitoneally results in an acute alteration of dopamine (DA) production and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC).
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