BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

Inhibition of presynaptic catecholamine synthesis with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine attenuates nocturnal melatonin secretion in humans. 1994

R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.

The catecholamine dopamine (D) is involved in the regulation of LH and PRL secretion, whereas a dysregulated noradrenergic system may contribute significantly to symptoms encountered in affective disorders. This explains the attraction of using alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) in neuroendocrine and psychiatric research, as it inhibits both neurotransmitters. PRL has been used as a marker of the effectiveness of AMPT in blocking D function, but no good marker for the effectiveness of AMPT in blocking norepinephrine (NE) is available. The purpose of this study was to determine whether melatonin (M) might serve as such a marker, as its production and secretion are regulated by NE. Seven subjects were given either AMPT or promethazine, which does not alter M secretion, in a randomized, double blind fashion, and 24-h M secretion was studied. Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in M secretion (F = 13.2; df = 17,102; P = 0.0013), with the following time points being different: 22, 23, 24, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. Also, 24-h urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion correlated highly with 24-h M secretion, expressed as the area under the curve in the AMPT experiment (r = 0.93; P = 0.002), which indicates that AMPT does not alter the metabolism of M. These results demonstrate for the first time that AMPT significantly attenuates nocturnal M secretion. It is concluded that M is a good marker for characterizing the effectiveness of AMPT in inhibiting sympathetic NE activity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008550 Melatonin A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D008781 Methyltyrosines A group of compounds that are methyl derivatives of the amino acid TYROSINE.
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
D002395 Catecholamines A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE. Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D002940 Circadian Rhythm The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli. Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

Related Publications

R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Presynaptic catecholamine antagonists as treatment for Tourette syndrome. Effects of alpha methyl para tyrosine and tetrabenazine.
December 1974, Archives of general psychiatry,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Inhibition of catecholamine synthesis in man with alpha-methyl-tyrosine, an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase.
November 1965, Lancet (London, England),
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Effects of catecholamine depletion with AMPT (alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine) in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
August 1999, Biological psychiatry,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine and alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine methyl ester and self-stimulation in rats.
June 1973, Revue canadienne de biologie,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Zaleplon increases nocturnal melatonin secretion in humans.
August 2009, Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Insulin release pattern after blockade of catecholamine synthesis with alpha-methyl tyrosine in vivo.
July 1984, Research communications in chemical pathology and pharmacology,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Effects of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine-induced catecholamine depletion in patients with seasonal affective disorder in summer remission.
November 2001, Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
[Metastatic malignant pheochromocytoma: treatment with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine].
May 1972, La semaine des hopitaux : organe fonde par l'Association d'enseignement medical des hopitaux de Paris,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Catecholamines and mania: the effect of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine on manic behavior and catecholamine metabolism.
January 1971, Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics,
R C Zimmermann, and L Krahn, and G Klee, and P Delgado, and S J Ory, and S C Lin
Effects of acute tryptophan depletion on nocturnal melatonin secretion in humans.
May 1993, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism,
Copied contents to your clipboard!