Physiological and metabolic effects of short-term dopamine reduction in healthy horses using a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor (alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine)

Alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) is a reversible inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. This study aimed to determine whether AMPT could reduce dopamine concentrations in horses. Six healthy adult Standardbred geldings were administered AMPT (40 mg/kg BW, orally) or placebo in a randomised crossover study design. Clinical examination findings were recorded, and blood samples were collected for up to 6 h after administration of AMPT or placebo, for measurement of blood glucose, plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations, and plasma metabolomic analysis. Plasma prolactin concentration was determined as a proxy index of central dopamine reduction. No adverse clinical effects were detected after oral administration of AMPT, with heart rate, mean arterial pressure and blood glucose concentration not differing between AMPT treatment or placebo. Plasma prolactin concentration peaked 1 h after AMPT administration before returning to baseline at 2 h (for five horses) or 6 h (for one horse). Metabolomic analysis demonstrated a reduction in plasma dopamine (0.72-fold change; P=0.016) 1 h after AMPT treatment. Plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations were not different between AMPT and placebo over time. A few metabolites associated with ketogenesis were increased, and certain amino acids decreased, at 1 h compared with baseline, for both AMPT treatment and placebo. Therefore, AMPT was effective in reducing both central and circulating dopamine concentrations in healthy horses following a single oral dose. Further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are warranted to optimise the dose and duration of AMPT treatment to achieve longer-term dopamine reduction. Plasma metabolomic findings suggested an interruption to energy flux at the time of sample collection, which may be relevant to nutritional studies in horses and warrants further investigation.