Effect of milacemide on extracellular and tissue concentrations of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rat frontal cortex.

1. Milacemide is a glycine prodrug which is both an inhibitor and a substrate for monoamine oxidase-type B (MAO-B) and also an inhibitor of MAO-type A (MAO-A). Its effects on dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism in rat frontal cortex tissue and dialysate were evaluated. 2. Dialysate dopamine concentrations increased linearly and dose-dependently after milacemide administration (100, 200, 400 mg kg-1, i.p.), peaking at 1 h. A concomitant dose-dependent decrease in dialysate 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations was observed but these changes were smaller (27% and 40% respectively) than the change in dopamine (125% after 400 mg kg-1 milacemide). 3. Dialysate 5-HT was significantly increased only at 1.5 h after giving milacemide 400 mg kg-1. Dialysate 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration was not affected. 4. Milacemide (400 mg kg-1) at 1.5 h post-administration significantly increased frontal cortex tissue concentrations of dopamine and 5-HT; the percentage increase in dopamine being about four times that of 5-HT. Metabolite concentrations, including 5-HIAA, decreased. Changes in tissue and dialysate dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were approximately proportionate to each other. 5. The results are explicable in terms of an inhibition by milacemide of MAO-A.