Phencyclidine decreases methionine-enkephalin content in rat striatum

The acute administration of phencyclidine induced a decrease in methionine-enkephalin levels in rat striatum, as measured by specific radioimmunoassay. The maximum decrease (about 40% with respect to controls) was obtained at a dose of 20 mg/kg, 30 min after intraperitoneal injection. These results suggest a possible involvement of enkephalins in the central effects of phencyclidine.