Nitric oxide increases dopamine and serotonin release in the medial preoptic area. 1993

D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo 14260.

Nitric oxide (NO) is becoming recognized as an important intercellular messenger in the brain. The present experiment used microdialysis to examine the potential role of NO in the regulation of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) release in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of freely moving male rats. The NO precursor L-arginine (L-Arg, 100 microM), administered into the MPOA via the dialysis probe, increased extracellular levels of DA, 5-HT, and the major metabolites of DA. These increases were blocked by the coadministration of the NO synthase inhibitor N-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA, 400 microM). The inactive isomer D-arginine (100 microM) was ineffective, and NMMA by itself decreased DA below baseline levels. Thus, NO may modulate the release of DA and 5-HT in the MPOA.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009569 Nitric Oxide A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP. Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D011301 Preoptic Area Region of hypothalamus between the ANTERIOR COMMISSURE and OPTIC CHIASM. Area Preoptica,Lateral Preoptic Area,Medial Preoptic Area,Preoptic Nuclei,Area Preopticas,Area, Lateral Preoptic,Area, Medial Preoptic,Area, Preoptic,Areas, Lateral Preoptic,Areas, Medial Preoptic,Areas, Preoptic,Lateral Preoptic Areas,Medial Preoptic Areas,Nuclei, Preoptic,Nucleus, Preoptic,Preoptic Area, Lateral,Preoptic Area, Medial,Preoptic Areas,Preoptic Areas, Lateral,Preoptic Areas, Medial,Preoptic Nucleus,Preoptica, Area,Preopticas, Area
D004298 Dopamine One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action. Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D006719 Homovanillic Acid A 3-O-methyl ETHER of (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acetic acid. 3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid,4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenylacetic Acid,3 Methoxy 4 Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid,4 Hydroxy 3 Methoxyphenylacetic Acid,Acid, 3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxyphenylacetic,Acid, 4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenylacetic,Acid, Homovanillic
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
D001120 Arginine An essential amino acid that is physiologically active in the L-form. Arginine Hydrochloride,Arginine, L-Isomer,DL-Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,L-Arginine,Arginine, L Isomer,DL Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,Hydrochloride, Arginine,L Arginine,L-Isomer Arginine,Monohydrate DL-Arginine Acetate
D012701 Serotonin A biochemical messenger and regulator, synthesized from the essential amino acid L-TRYPTOPHAN. In humans it is found primarily in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several important physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (RECEPTORS, SEROTONIN) explain the broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical mediator. 5-HT,5-Hydroxytryptamine,3-(2-Aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol,Enteramine,Hippophaine,Hydroxytryptamine,5 Hydroxytryptamine
D013237 Stereoisomerism The phenomenon whereby compounds whose molecules have the same number and kind of atoms and the same atomic arrangement, but differ in their spatial relationships. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 5th ed) Molecular Stereochemistry,Stereoisomers,Stereochemistry, Molecular,Stereoisomer
D015102 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid A deaminated metabolite of LEVODOPA. DOPAC,Homoprotocatechuic Acid,3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid, Monosodium Salt,3,4 Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Related Publications

D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
December 2006, Behavioral neuroscience,
D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
September 1995, Brain research,
D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
April 2010, Behavioral neuroscience,
D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
October 2005, Physiology & behavior,
D S Lorrain, and E M Hull
December 2010, Behavioral neuroscience,
Copied contents to your clipboard!