Chlordecone interaction with catecholamine binding and uptake in rat brain synaptosomes

The in vitro and in vivo effects of chlordecone on rat brain synaptosomal binding and uptake of 3H-dopamine and 3H-norepinephrine were determined. The data show that chlordecone decreases both binding and uptake of the 3H-catecholamines in vitro and in vivo. The uptake of 3H-dopamine was more sensitive to chlordecone than binding. 3H-norepinephrine binding and uptake was decreased to a lesser degree as compared to dopamine. In general, chlordecone at about 25-50 microM concentration produced a 50% decrease of the ligands binding and uptake. Mirex, a non-neurotoxic compound and a structural analog of chlordecone altered neither binding nor uptake of the ligands tested. These studies suggest that chlordecone may be modulating the pre and post synaptic function.