Metabolism of monoamines in malignant hyperthermia-susceptible pigs

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 54; no. 12; p. 1313
• Main Authors: Bardsley, M E, Wheatley, A M, Fowler, C J, McCrodden, J M, McLoughlin, J V, Tipton, K F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-12-1982
• Subjects: Amines - metabolism; Animals; Catechol O-Methyltransferase - metabolism; Corpus Striatum - enzymology; Corpus Striatum - metabolism; Disease Susceptibility; Dopamine - metabolism; Hypothalamus - enzymology; Hypothalamus - metabolism; Malignant Hyperthermia - enzymology; Malignant Hyperthermia - metabolism; Monoamine Oxidase - metabolism; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Swine
• ISSN: 0007-0912
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/54.12.1313

A comparison of monoamine oxidase activities in the hypothalamus and striatum between malignant hyperthermia-susceptible (Pietrain) and malignant hyperthermia-resistant (Landrace/Large White) pigs showed no significant difference between the two breeds. The concentrations of noradrenaline, dopamine and their non-O-methylated metabolites did not reflect the low activities of monoamine oxidase type A differentially. The malignant hyperthermia-susceptible pigs had significantly greater concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl glycol in the striatum, and of 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid in the hypothalamus. Consequently, in the brain, low monoamine oxidase type A activity does not appear to be involved in susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. In addition, monoamine oxidase activities in the heart, liver, kidney and intestinal mucosa and catechol-O-methyl transferase activities in the kidney were the same in the susceptible and resistant pigs.