Effect of chronic clonidine treatment and withdrawal on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in peripheral ganglia and the locus coeruleus.

As is observed clinically, cessation of chronic clonidine treatment in the rat results in a syndrome characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity. After three weeks of chronic oral administration of clonidine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH) activity was unchanged in superior cervical ganglia and locus coeruleus, but was reduced (45%) in the celiac ganglia. Abrupt cessation of treatment resulted in increases in TOH activity in superior cervical and celiac ganglia (to 135 and 250% of controls) and in the locus coeruleus (170% of control). These data suggest a selective effect of clonidine treatment and withdrawal on vasomotor fibers. A mechanism explaining physical dependence on clonidine is proposed.