Abstract
The modulation of expression of the dopamine transporter by dopaminergic drugs was investigated by flow cytometry in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients suffering Parkinson's disease. An 8-week in vivo exposure to pramipexole (0.7 mg free base, 3 times a day) or ropinirole (12 mg, once daily), but not levodopa/carbidopa (100/25 mg, 3 times a day), significantly reduced the mean fluorescence intensity of the dopamine transporter in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These results demonstrate that levodopa differs from dopamine agonists in its regulation of dopamine transporter expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Controlled Clinical Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Antiparkinson Agents / pharmacology*
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Benzothiazoles / pharmacology
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Carbidopa / pharmacology
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Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology*
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects*
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
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Drug Combinations
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Female
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Flow Cytometry
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Humans
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Indoles / pharmacology
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Levodopa / pharmacology
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Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
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Pramipexole
Substances
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Antiparkinson Agents
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Benzothiazoles
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Dopamine Agonists
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Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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Drug Combinations
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Indoles
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carbidopa, levodopa drug combination
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ropinirole
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Levodopa
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Pramipexole
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Carbidopa