Analysis of the action of m-tyrosine on blood pressure in the conscious rat: evidence for a central hypotensive effect.

Abstract

Abstract Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded through indwelling arterial catheters in conscious normotensive rats. dl-m-Tyrosine, 400 mg/kg, was given intraperitoneally alone and after pretreatment with two inhibitors of dopa decarboxylase [dl-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (MK 485) or N1-(dl-seryl)-N2-(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzyl)hydrazine (Ro 4–4602)]. dl-m-Tyrosine alone produced a hypertensive response, but after MK 485 it caused a significant lowering of blood pressure after 5–7 min and after Ro 4–4602 (400 + 200 mg/kg) it had no significant influence on blood pressure. The hypotensive response to dl-m-tyrosine was not influenced by the central dopamine receptor blocking agent spiroperidol (0·1 mg/kg) or by pretreatment with the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor H 44/68 (250 mg/kg). However, the depressor action could be completely inhibited after depletion of central catecholamines by α-methyl-m-tyrosine, 400 + 400 + 200 mg/kg, in combination with H 44/68, 250 mg/kg. Further, the depressor action was abolished by the dopamine β-hydroxylase inhibitor bis (4-methyl-1-homo-piperazinyl-thiocarbonyl) disulphide (FLA-63) 40 mg/kg. In correlative biochemical experiments the concentrations of the decarboxylation products of m-tyrosine were measured in brain and heart. dl-m-Tyrosine alone produced an accumulation of m-tyramine and m-octopamine in these tissues. MK 485 + m-tyrosine substantially reduced the levels of m-tyramine and m-octopamine in the heart, but their accumulation in brain was largely unaltered. The results suggest that when decarboxylation of dl-m-tyrosine occurs in both the central and peripheral nervous system, there is a pressor action. When decarboxylation occurs mainly in the central nervous system there is a hypotensive response which is associated with accumulation of decarboxylation products of m-tyrosine.