EFFECT OF A SELECTIVE MAO-A INHIBITOR (RO-41-1049) ON STRIATAL L-DOPA AND DOPAMINE METABOLISM - AN IN-VIVO STUDY

We administered Ro 41-1049, an inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) to rats and monitored extracellular catecholamine levels in the corpus striatum before and after the intraperitoneal (IP) administration of a bolus of L-dopa. Acute administration of Ro 42-1049 (1-50 mg/kg IP) produced a dose-dependent decrease in basal levels of the dopamine metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) and an increase in basal levels of dopamine. In rats treated with Ro 42-1049 (20 mg/kg IP), L-dopa administration (100 mg/kg IP) produced a greater increase in striatal levels of dopamine than it did in controls, while DOPAC and HVA formation was attenuated. We conclude that inhibition of central MAO-A activity promotes synaptic accumulation of dopamine following administration of pharmacological doses of L-dopa.