The effects of intraperitoneal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine on the turnover and the levels of the brain catecholamines and the levels of plasma corticosterone in rats.

1. The effects of intraperitoneal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on the levels and the turnover of brain catecholamines and the levels of plasma corticosterone were studied in rats. 2. Two weeks after intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA (150 mg/kg) a virtually complete disappearance of cardiac noradrenaline was observed. 3. An increment and an accelerated turnover of noradrenaline in the hypothalamus was observed 2 weeks after peripheral administration of 6-OHDA (150 mg/kg). 4. There was no change in the levels and the turnover of noradrenaline in the cortex of the rats so treated. 5. There was not change in the levels and the turnover of dopamine in either the hypothalamus or the cortex of the 6-OHDA-treated rats. 6. An increment and an accelerated turnover of hypothalamic noradrenaline were not associated with any change in plasma corticosterone.