HPLC determination of biogenic amines in discrete brain areas in food deprived rats

Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), median raphe (MR) and dorsal raphe (DR) were determined in nondeprived and 48 hr food deprived rats. Simultaneous determination of these compounds was accomplished by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. When compared with controls, food deprived animals showed significant increases in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in the raphe nuclei, significant increases in 5-HIAA in the LH, but no changes in either 5-HT or 5-HIAA levels in the VMH. No changes in catecholamine levels were found in any of the brain areas studied. These results show that indoles in the raphe nuclei, as well as in the LH, are affected by food deprivation. The lack of change in indole levels in the VMH indicates that specific nuclei within the hypothalamus are differentially affected by food deprivation.