Effect of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor (disulfiram) on the response of adenohypophysis, serum ceruloplasmin and hypothalamic ascorbic acid to estradiol treatment.

The administration of tetraethylthiuramdisulfide (disulfiram, Antabus--inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase) resulted in an inhibition of the response of anterior pituitary to estradiol (i. e. increase of weight and of binding capacity of anterior pituitary proteins to thyroxine). At the same time there was no inhibition of an increase of ceruloplasmin (polyphenoloxidase) level after estradiol, while a decrease of ascorbic acid in hypothalamus was fully prevented. It was concluded that disulfiram may inhibit dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and thus presumably protect the hypothalamic dopamine which further inhibits the response of anterior pituitary to estradiol either directly or through a dopamine dependent growth inhibiting factor.