Effect of amantadine on chlorpromazine and reserpine-induced behavioral depression in the mouse.

The effect of pretreatment with amantadine (AMN) on chlorpromazine (CPZ) and reserpine (RES)-produced behavioral depression was studied in the male mouse. The effect of this treatment on hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (L-ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (L-ALDH), which catalyze the metabolism of biogenic amine aldehydes, was also investigated. Administration of AMN, 100 mg/kg, initially decreased spontaneous locomotor activity from saline control. Pretreatment with identical dose of AMN 15 min before small dose of CPZ or RES, 0.2 mg/kg, further suppressed motility compared to animals receiving the individual AMN, CPZ or RES treatment. Using a second dose regimen of these compounds, given 5 hr post the initial injection, altered L-ALDH as a function of its subcellular localization. This was demonstrated by AMN-produced induction of mitochondrial, but not cytoplasmic L-ALDH. Likewise, a moderate but not statistically significant increase in endogenous mitochondrial L-ALDH was determined subsequent to the CPZ treatment. Treatment with AMN prior to CPZ reduced the enhancement of L-ALDH to control levels. The RES dose used was devoid of action on remainder of hepatic enzymes measured. The results indicate that AMN possesses central depressant property which was potentiated by CPZ and RES. The enzymatic data suggest antagonism between AMN and CPZ on induction of mitochondrial L-ALDH.