Inhibition of brain MAO-A and animal behaviour induced by p-hydroxyamphetamine

Intra- and extra-synaptosomal activity of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) and -B (MAO-B), dopamine (DA) and its main metabolites were examined to clarify the mechanism of action(s) of p-hydroxyamphetamine (p-OHA) in animal behaviour mediated by central dopaminergic systems. Intrasynaptosomal DA was oxidized by MAO-A and MAO-B and this oxidation is inhibited by p-OHA. The inhibition is due to two effects: 1) uptake of DA is inhibited by p-OHA, and 2) p-OHA also inhibits intrasynaptosomal oxidation of DA by MAO-A and MAO-B. The inhibition of oxidation by MAO-A is predominant. Administration (ICV) of 80 and 160 micrograms p-OHA to mice, doses that cause various behavioural, significantly reduced striatal DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels, but greatly increased 3-methoxytyramine, without significantly changing homovanillic acid (HVA). The release of DA and blockade of DA uptake into dopaminergic neurons by p-OHA, together with preferential inhibition of the DA metabolizing enzyme, MAO-A, may contribute to p-OHA-induced behaviour mediated by the central dopaminergic systems.