Time‐course of modifications elicited by reserpine on the density and mRNA synthesis of the vesicular monoamine transporter, and on the density of the membrane dopamine uptake complex

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Abstract
The long-term effects of a unique injection of reserpine (5 mg/kg s.c.) on the vesicular monoamine transporter and dopamine uptake complex have been investigated, in parallel with behavioral and neurochemical effects. Early after treatment, a dramatic decrease in locomotor activity, as well as a marked depletion in striatal dopamine (DA), associated with a prominent enhancement in dopaminergic turnover were observed in reserpine-treated rats. From 2 to 60 days after reserpine injection, a recovery in locomotor activity occurred, in parallel with an increased DA content in the striatum, reaching about 50% of controls at day 60. At this time, the dopamine turnover was quite normal. The density of the dopamine uptake sites in the striatum, studied with 3H GBR12783, was unchanged after reserpine treatment at any time studied up to 60 days. By contrast, the density of binding sites for 3H dihydrotetrabenazine (3H TBZOH), a marker for the vesicular monoamine transporter, remained dramatically decreased in the striatum all over the time of the study (> −90% of controls at day 2 and −80% at day 30 and 60). A lesser decrease (−60%) was observed in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), 2 and 30 days after reserpine treatment. This suggests that at least 60% of the vesicular monoamine transporter is sensitive to reserpine in this cell bodies region, indicating that this proportion of the transporter is integrated in functional vesicles, a prerequisite for reserpine binding. On the other hand, in spite of profound modifications of DA levels and neuronal activity, induced by a persistent blockade of the vesicular uptake process, the density of mRNA encoding the vesicular monoamine transporter remained constant in the SNc from 2 to 60 days following reserpine injection.