[Influence of adrenalectomy on monoamine oxidase activity and serotonin content in the brain of rats--on the effects of formalin, ACTH and cortisone].

In the previous papers, the authors reported that brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity of the rat fed with high sucrose diet was increased in a state of formalin stress and decreased in the reserpine induced distress. Therefore, a study was taken to determine the alterations of related enzymatic activity and its substrate (5HT) in the rat under homeostatic state failed surgically and the effects on addition of several stressors in above chemical parameters and experimental condition.1) Chronic administrations of ACTH or cortison enhanced the brain MAO activity in intact rats.2) Adrenalectomy produced a decrease of above enzymatic activity in rats.3) Such hypoactivity in adrenalectomized rat was also intensified with successive intramuscular injections or formalin while inhibited with chronic administrations or cortison or ACTH.4) Above surgical and drug treatments did not exhibit any change in brain serotonin content.