抄録
Physiologically, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) plays important role in the central nervous system as well as other bioamines. Various neurological symptoms might be occured due to the changes of these amines' level in brain.
Presently, effects of harmine on the oxidations of 5-HT and tyramine were studied in vivo using rat brain and liver monoamine oxidase (MAO) . MAO activity and contents of 5-HT in rat brain were measured manometrically and fluorometrically, respectively.
Following results were obtained :
1) When 5-HT was used as a substrate, MAO activity in rat brain was completely inhibited in 1 hour after administration of harmine (30 mg/kg i.p.) .
2) By administration of harmine (30 mg/kg i, p.), the oxidation of 5-HT catalysed by MAO in rat brain was inhibited much more than that of tyramine.
3) A little inhibition of MAO activity in rat liver by harmine was observed.
4) The 5-HT level in rat brain decreased in 1 hour after administration of harmine and then gradually increased to reach the peak in 3 hours and restored in 10 hours after administration. The content of 5-HT was about twice of the control at the peak.
