Effect of short-term swimming stress and diazepam on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in the caudate nucleus: an in vivo voltammetric study.

The effects of swimming stress on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons were studied by an in vivo voltammetry technique. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in rat striatum were measured by differential pulse voltammetry with an electrochemically treated carbon fiber electrode. Exposure to swimming stress for 1 to 10 min to the animal increased the DOPAC and 5-HIAA peaks, which depended on the length of stress. Pretreatment of the rats with diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented completely the stress-induced increase in DOPAC levels but only partially reduced the increase in 5-HIAA levels.