Effect of theophylline on monoamine metabolism in the rat brain

The effect of theophylline on brain monoamine metabolism was studied in rats. Single doses of theophylline caused a striking and dose-related increase in the levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol sulfate (MOPEG-SO4) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the brain. The level of brain homovanillic acid was only slightly affected. No appreciable change occurred, however, in the levels of brain norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. The increased level of brain MOPEG-SO4 or 5-HIAA after theophylline does not appear to result from its interference with the transport system for the acids in the brain since the rate of decline of the acid levels following pargyline was not affected. Under the conditions of brain monoamine oxidase inhibition, theophylline enhanced the increase in brain normetanephrine level without causing any change in 3-methoxytyramine level. The enhancement of brain normetanephrine level by theophylline became more pronounced when rats were pretreated with imipramine in addition to pargyline. These results suggest that, in the brain, theophylline may cause a release of serotonin leading to its increased turnover. The results also confirm the previous conclusion that the methylxanthine causes a release of norepinephrine and a concomitant increase in its turnover in the brain.