Effect of interferon-alpha on tyrosine hydroxylase and catecholamine levels in the brain of rats

Life Sci. 2000 Jun 30;67(6):663-9. doi: 10.1016/s0024-3205(00)00660-3.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of interferon on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and catecholamine levels in the brains of 12-week-old male Wistar rats. Interferon-alpha (300,000 IU/kg/day, s.c.) was administered to rats for 7 days. Locomotor activity of interferon-alpha-treated rats was significantly lower than that of control rats. Norepinephrine and dopamine levels and TH activities in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and medulla oblongata of interferon-alpha-treated rats were significantly higher than those of control rats. Norepinephrine and dopamine levels and TH activities in the thalamus and hippocampus were not different between interferon-alpha treated and control rats. These results suggest that interferon-alpha-induced depression may be related to change in the catecholamine synthetic pathway in the central nervous system.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / enzymology*
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects*
  • Catecholamines / metabolism*
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacology*
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase