Effects of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa) Treatment in the Neuroendocrine Response to Stress

Abstract Stressful stimuli evoke a complex response mediated by two systems: the Sympathetic-Adreno-Medullar (SAM) axis and the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Among the factors involved in stress, glucocorticoids and catecholamines secreted from the adrenal glands and sympathetic nerves...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of the Endocrine Society 2021-05, Vol.5 (Supplement_1), p.A67-A68
Main Authors:	Orrillo, Santiago Jordi, Imsen, Mercedes, Lizarraga, Alfonsina, Romero, Ana Clara, De Fino, Fernanda, Zanoni, Milagros Peña, Machado, Alejandra Inés Abeledo, Zarate, Sandra Cristina, Ferraris, Jimena, Diaz, Graciela Susana, Pisera, Daniel
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Adrenal
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Summary:	Abstract Stressful stimuli evoke a complex response mediated by two systems: the Sympathetic-Adreno-Medullar (SAM) axis and the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Among the factors involved in stress, glucocorticoids and catecholamines secreted from the adrenal glands and sympathetic nerves are the main effectors of the physiological adaptations to stressors. Besides these, prolactin (PRL) is another hormone secreted under stress conditions. Catecholamines are synthesized from the hydroxylated precursor L-Dopa. This agent is commonly used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and it would act as a neurotransmitter per se. On the other hand, it has been suggested that HPA axis dysregulation is a potential risk factor for the development of depression. In line with this, several studies reported that L-Dopa treatment may alter the serum levels of ACTH, PRL, and glucocorticoids in parkinsonian patients and Parkinson’s disease animal models. In the present study, we determined whether the chronic treatment with L-Dopa altered the stress response inducing depressive-like behaviours. Adult male Wistar rats were treated orally during 24 days with LEBOCAR® - commercial formulation of L-Dopa (75 mg/day) and Carbidopa (7.5 mg/day) - in drinking water. Animals were stressed by immobilization during the last 9 days of treatment and depressive-like behaviours were assessed by the sucrose intake and forced swimming tests. Behavioural tests showed no signs of depressive-like behaviours in the LEBOCAR®-treated and/or stressed rats. We next explored the SAM axis reactivity. Circulating noradrenaline and adrenaline increased in rats treated with LEBOCAR® (p
ISSN:	2472-1972 2472-1972