Biomaterial Database

Noradrenergic alpha-1 and alpha-2 antagonists block L-dopa-induced air-stepping in neonatal rats. 1994

L L Taylor, and A E Sickles, and D J Stehouwer, and C Van Hartesveldt

Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

Five-day-old rat pups suspended in air and administered L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) engage in a highly stereotyped and coordinated locomotor behavior termed air-stepping. L-DOPA is a precursor for dopamine and noradrenaline and one or both of these neurotransmitters could play a role in L-DOPA-induced air-stepping. The role of noradrenaline was investigated by assessing the abilities of the alpha-1 noradrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin and the alpha-2 noradrenergic receptor antagonist idazoxan to block L-DOPA-induced air-stepping in 5-day-old rats. Both antagonists decreased the duration of air-stepping. In addition, prazosin altered the topography of air-stepping by interfering with coordination of the hindlimbs. The results suggest that alpha-1 and alpha-2 noradrenergic receptor subtypes are involved in L-DOPA-induced air-stepping.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D008124	Locomotion	Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms.	Locomotor Activity,Activities, Locomotor,Activity, Locomotor,Locomotor Activities
D008297	Male		Males
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011224	Prazosin	A selective adrenergic alpha-1 antagonist used in the treatment of HEART FAILURE; HYPERTENSION; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; RAYNAUD DISEASE; PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY; and URINARY RETENTION.	Furazosin,Minipress,Pratsiol,Prazosin HCL,Prazosin Hydrochloride,HCL, Prazosin,Hydrochloride, Prazosin
D004146	Dioxanes	Compounds that contain the structure 1,4-dioxane.
D005260	Female		Females
D000317	Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists	Drugs that bind to but do not activate alpha-adrenergic receptors thereby blocking the actions of endogenous or exogenous adrenergic agonists. Adrenergic alpha-antagonists are used in the treatment of hypertension, vasospasm, peripheral vascular disease, shock, and pheochromocytoma.	Adrenergic alpha-Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Blockers, Adrenergic,Adrenergic alpha-Blockers,alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha-Adrenergic Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Antagonists,Adrenergic alpha Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Receptor Blockaders,Agents, alpha-Adrenergic Blocking,Antagonists, alpha-Adrenergic,Blockaders, Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,Blockers, alpha-Adrenergic,Blocking Agents, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptor Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha Adrenergic Blockers,alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha Blockers, Adrenergic,alpha-Antagonists, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptor Blockaders, Adrenergic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000831	Animals, Newborn	Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth.	Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals