Effects of short-term exposure to haloperidol and reserpine on dopamine turnover in nigrostriatal system in rat brain.

Spectrophotometric methods were employed to determine activity of dopamine metabolism enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase B, in nigrostriatal structures of the brain in Wistar rats after short-term (60 min) haloperidol or reserpine treatment. Activating effect of the test compounds on dopamine synthesis, more pronounced in the caudate nucleus, was demonstrated. Utilization of monoamine oxidase B transmitter was activated by haloperidol, but not reserpine. Some peculiarities of response of the nigrostriatal system structures to the test compounds were noted. We hypothesized the presence of a phase of dopamine metabolism activation, aimed at maintenance of dopamine transmission and nervous system adaptation at early terms after reserpine and haloperidol administration.