Beneficial attenuating effect of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine on postural hypotension in anesthetized rats.

The effects of L-threo-DOPS (L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine), a non-physiologic precursor amino acid of the natural form of norepinephrine, on postural hypotension were assessed in anesthetized rats. Rats were pretreated with DSP-4(N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine), a norepinephrine-decreasing agent acting on central and peripheral tissues, or hexamethonium, a ganglion-blocking agent. Postural hypotension was induced by 60 o head-up tilt