Catecholamines and their metabolites in the brain and urine of rats with experimental Parkinson's disease.

The content of catecholamines and their metabolites in the brain and the relationship between cerebral catecholamine levels and their urinary excretion were studied in rats with 6-OHDA-induced hemiparkinsonism. 6-OHDA reduced brain concentrations of dopamine, DOPAC, and homovanilic acid and urinary excretion of dopamine, dioxyphenilalanine, and DOPAC by more than 90%. A positive correlation was found between the concentrations of these metabolites in the urine and striatum. Measurement of urinary catecholamines and their metabolites is a perspective test for evaluating the status of the dopaminergic nigrosostriate system of the brain in experimental parkinsonism.