Neuroscience research
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Neuroscience research · Sep 2007
Immunohistochemical detection of L-DOPA-derived dopamine within serotonergic fibers in the striatum and the substantia nigra pars reticulata in Parkinsonian model rats.
On the basis of our previous studies in the normal rat [Arai, R., Karasawa, N., Geffard, M., Nagatsu, I., 1995. L-DOPA is converted to dopamine in serotonergic fibers of the striatum of the rat: a double-labeling immunofluorescence study. Neurosci. ⋯ Using a dual immunofluorescence histochemistry, we examined DA-immunoreactivity in the 5-HT fibers within the ST and the SNR of the PD model rats after L-DOPA was injected intraperitoneally. In experimental cases with the L-DOPA administration, DA-immunoreactivity was detected in 5-HT fibers in both the ST and the SNR on the 6-OHDA injection side; no DA-immunoreactivity was found in 5-HT fibers in the ST or the SNR in control cases without the L-DOPA administration. The results support the assumption that exogenously administered L-DOPA may be converted into DA within the 5-HT fibers in the ST and SNR of the PD model rats.