Influences of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on the cataleptic behavior induced by haloperidol in mice.

Haloperidol administered intraperitoneally, and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and PGE2 intraventricularly induced dose-dependent cataleptic behavior in mice. The cataleptic behavior induced by haloperidol was inhibited dose-dependently by oral pretreatment with aspirin and indomethacin, inhibitors of PGs synthetase. Striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindole 3 acetic acid (5-HIAA) were elevated by haloperidol, although dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels did not change. The increase of DOPAC level in striatum induced by haloperidol was significantly suppressed by aspirin, but not in brain stem. The alteration of DOPAC level by aspirin correlated with the behavioral response. These results suggest that central prostaglandin synthesis may participate in the development of cataleptic behavior, which might also involve alteration of brain catecholaminergic activity.