Reversible decrease of dopamine D2 receptor density in the striatum of rats with acute hepatic failure

The binding of a D2 receptor ligand. [H-3]spiperone, was measured in striat al membranes derived from rats in which acute hepatic failure induced with thioacetamide (TAA) was associated with symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and during recovery from HE. A 28% decrease of B-max for the binding was measured in a symptomatic stage of HE. 1 day after TAA administration. The B-max for [H-3]spiperone binding was no longer different from control 7 days after TAA administration, when blood and brain biochemical correlates of HE were already absent. At 21 days after TAA administration, the B-max was increased by 31% above the control level. consistent with other aspects of metabolic activation of the brain characteristic of the late recovery p eriod from acute HE. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.