Biochemical lesions of the nigrostriatal system by TaClo (1-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline) and derivatives
Grote, C.; Clement, H.W.; Wesemann, W.; Bringmann, G.; Feineis, D.; Riederer, P.; Sontag, K.H.
Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementum 46: 275-281
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-6995 PMID: 8821064 Document Number: 443018
In vivo voltammetry with carbon fibre electrodes was used to study the effects of highly halogenated tetrahydro-beta-carbolines on the striatal dopamine (DA) metabolism of the rat. As representatives of chloral-derived heterocycles, "TaClo" (1-trichtoro-1,23,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline) and its N-methylated derivative. "N-methyl-TaClo", were investigated. After intranigral injection of 10 mu-g TaClo, the DA activity in the ipsilateral striatum was reduced compared with the intact side. Application of N-methyl-TaClo (10 mu-g) resulted in a nearly total reduction of the DOPAC signal. Furthermore, also "TaBro" (1-tribromomethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline). the bromal-derived analogue of TaClo, was tested. The impairment of the DA metabolism in rats achieved with 10 mu-g TaBro was found to be between that observed after application of TaClo and N-methyl-TaClo, respectively. The results demonstrate the toxic potential of chloral- and bromal-derived carbolines towards dopaminergic neurons.