EFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND COCAINE ON THE DEPLETION OF CATECHOLAMINE OF THE BRAIN, HEART AND ADRENAL GLAND IN RABBIT BY RESERPINE

Abstract

The effects of methamphetamine and cocaine on the depletion of catecholamine in the brain, heart and adrenal gland by reserpine were studied, in connection with the behavioral pattern in rabbit. The intravenous injection of 1.0 mgAg of methamphetamine or 2.0 mg/kg of cocaine depressed the level of catecholamine in the central and the peripheral organs, and the effect was more marked in the brain tissues. During the decrease of central catecholamine, the animal showed motor and sympathetic excitement. The intravenous injection of 1.0 mgAg of reserpine to rabbit pretreated with 1.0 mgAg of methamphetamine re-increased the content of norepinephrine in the brain tissues at the first half hour of the reserpine administration. During this re-increase of central, norepinephrine, the animal showed a motor excitement. Though the intravenous injection of 1.0 mgAg of reserpine to rabbit pretreated with 2.0 mgAg of cocaine caused motor and sympathetic excitement, the norepinephrine in the brain tissues did not re-increase but decreased profoundly. The similar decrease of catecholamine was observed in the atria and adrenal gland.