Attenuation of paraquat-induced motor behavior and neurochemical disturbances by L-valine in vivo.

Alterations of motor behavioral patterns and monoamine contents in the discrete rat brain areas after acute paraquat exposure (3, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg, s.c.) have been studied. The results showed that paraquat at the doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg significantly reduced locomotive, stereotypic, and rotational behaviors. Significant decreases of norepinephrine (NE) contents in cortex and hypothalamus, as well as striatal contents of dopamine (DA) and its acidic metabolites, were detected. In addition, L-valine (200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated paraquat-induced toxicity at moderate dose (5 mg/kg) but not at high dose (20 mg/kg). The results provide evidence that paraquat can enter the brain as illustrated by the alterations in the motor behavioral pattern and neurochemical contents. Furthermore, the attenuation effect of L-valine against systemic administration of paraquat-induced motor behaviors was detected, with a slightly protective effect on paraquat-induced neurochemical alterations.