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Tetrahydrobiopterin administration to rhesus macaques

Its appearance in CSF and effect on neurotransmitter synthesis

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Abstract

Tetrahydrobiopterin, the hydroxylase cofactor (BH4) was administered (i.v. 20 mg/kg) to Rhesus monkeys. Within 90 min of its administration CSF cofactor levels increased significantly above baseline levels. Peak CSF levels were attained at 90–180 min time period following cofactor injection and returned to baseline gradually over the next 15 hrs. The increased brain cofactor levels had no apparent effect on synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine or serotonin as evidenced by a lack of change in the levels of the metabolites homovalillic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyleneglycol, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The present results

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Abbreviations

BH4 :

tetrahydrobiopterin

CSF:

cerebrospinal fluid

5-HIAA:

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid

HAV:

homovanillic acid

MHPG:

3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyleneglycol

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Supported by Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, 9615 Brighton Way, Suite 416, Beverly Hills, California 90210

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Miller, L., Insel, T., Scheinin, M. et al. Tetrahydrobiopterin administration to rhesus macaques. Neurochem Res 11, 291–298 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00967976

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00967976

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