Abstract
The effects of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-threo-DOPS), an unnatural norepinephrine precursor, on alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelet membranes were investigated in a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, two patients with multiple system atrophy, and two patients with Parkinson's disease. Each patient was treated for at least six months. While L-threo-DOPS alone, or in combination with decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide hydrochloride, produced sustained increase in plasma norepinephrine and clinical improvement, it did not induce a change in the number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelet membranes.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Aged
-
Amyloidosis / drug therapy
-
Amyloidosis / genetics
-
Amyloidosis / physiopathology
-
Benserazide / therapeutic use
-
Blood Platelets / drug effects*
-
Blood Platelets / metabolism
-
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
-
Droxidopa / pharmacokinetics
-
Droxidopa / therapeutic use*
-
Drug Therapy, Combination
-
Female
-
Humans
-
Hypotension, Orthostatic / drug therapy
-
Hypotension, Orthostatic / physiopathology
-
Male
-
Middle Aged
-
Muscular Atrophy / drug therapy
-
Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology
-
Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
-
Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
-
Neurologic Examination
-
Norepinephrine / blood*
-
Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
-
Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
-
Polyneuropathies / drug therapy
-
Polyneuropathies / genetics
-
Polyneuropathies / physiopathology
-
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / drug effects*
-
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / physiology
-
Yohimbine / pharmacokinetics*
Substances
-
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
-
Yohimbine
-
Benserazide
-
Droxidopa
-
Norepinephrine