RESERPINE EFFECTS ON NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN CHICK HEART DURING GROWTH

Effects of tranquilizing agents on neurotransmitters in the heart have nor been widely studied. Thus, the effect of intraperitoneal injectio n of reserpine, (2.5 mg/kg bw) on the concentrations of excitatory (gl utamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, asparagine), inhibitory (GABA, glycine, alanine, taurine), neurotransmitters as well as the enzymes ( GOT and GPT) and total protein were measured in both heart and serum o f chicks at different ages (1, 7, 30, 90 and 180 days). Reserpine indu ced a decrease in the excitatory amino acids and an increase in GABA i n both heart and serum in most ages. Glycine and alanine increased in the heart and decreased in serum. Taurine increased in the heart of yo ung ages (1 and 7 days) and decreased in older ones (90 and 180 days), however, it decreased in serum of most ages. Both GOT;ind GPT increas ed in heart but, in serum, GOT increased and GPT decreased in most age s. Total protein increased in the heart of young chicks and decreased in the 90- and 180-day-old chicks. In conclusion, reserpine induced a parallel decrease in the ratio glutamate, glutamine, aspartate/GABA in both myocardial tissue and serum of the different age groups. Changes observed in neurotransmitters of the heart suggest that these amino a cids may play a similar role in the myocardial tissue, as is described in the central nervous system.