Differences in the reserpine-sensitive storage in vivo of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium in rats and mice may explain differences in catecholamine toxicity to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

Administration of reserpine, an inhibitor of vesicular catecholamine storage, differentially reduced the accumulation of MPP+ formed from MPTP in rats and mice. The effects were most pronounced in the adrenal gland for either species. In rats, reserpine decreased striatal and hippocampal MPP+ levels while in mice reserpine did not affect the disposition of MPP+ in the striatum but decreased hippocampal MPP+. The data suggest that mice may be more sensitive to the toxicant because less striatal MPP+ appears to be stored in the reserpine-sensitive storage vesicle.