Changes in the turnover of monoamines in prefrontal cortex of rats fed on vitamin E-deficient diet

Turnover of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites has been measured after a 15-day vitamin E-deficient diet in adult rat prefrontal cortex. Turnover rates of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid have been assayed from the disappearance rates after blocking by pargyline inhibition of monoamine oxidase. NA, DA, and 5-HT turnover rates have been measured as accumulation rates of NA, DA, and 5-HT after pargyline inhibition of monoamine oxidase. No change was found in the turnover rate of NA between control and experimental animals. In contrast, turnover rates of DA and homovanillic acid significantly increased in the animals fed on a low-vitamin E diet. However, the most striking results were found on the serotoninergic system. Levels of 5-HT and its main metabolite, 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid, and their respective turnover rates were lower in the vitamin E-deficient diet. These results could indicate that vitamin E is necessary for the normal functioning of the serotoninergic neurons in the rat prefrontal cortex. The involvement of vitamin E in preventing the formation of free radicals is well known. Therefore, this lack of protective effect after a 15-day vitamin E-deficient diet could be responsible for the neuronal damage to the serotoninergic system. The opposing results found in DA (increase) and 5-HT (decrease) turnover could provide further evidence for an inhibitory control of the serotoninergic ascending pathways to the dopaminergic system in the prefrontal cortex.