Acute administration of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine alters levels of norepinephrine transporter mRNA in the rat brainstem.

This study investigated whether rat norepinephrine transporter (NET) mRNA levels would be altered by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MPT), a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. While NE levels decreased at 1 and 3 days but recovered at 7 days after alpha-MPT, NET mRNA levels decreased at 3 and 7 days but not at 1 day after alpha-MPT. The results indicate that acute treatment with alpha-MPT led to a delayed time response in its effects on NET mRNA and NE levels in the rat brain.