Effect of triethyltin chloride on the central aminergic neurotransmitters and their metabolites: relationship with pathophysiology of aging.

Abstract Triethyltin (TET) salt intoxication provokes a myelinic vacuolisation associated with a white matter cerebral edema. The central nervous system disturbances accompanying these phenomena (Na-K-ATPase activity, neurological symptoms, water and sodium cerebral content) can be counteracted by drugs used in age-related brain failure; consequently, TET intoxication could be suggested as an experimental model for studying the aging process. The aim of the present study is to follow-up the biogenic amine concentrations in different brain areas of TET treated rats, knowing that modifications of cerebral amines exist throughout the aging process. The following results are obtained: the cerebral water content of the TET treated rats is significantly increased, confirming the existence of a brain edema. Monoamine concentrations are significantly decreased, specifically noradrenaline (in hypothalamus, mesencephalon, cerebellum); serotonin (in striatum, hypothalamus, mesencephalon); dopamine only in hypothalam...