Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

1 The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline (1.5-3.0 mg kg(-1) intravenously), produced a dose-related increase in rat pineal melatonin content. This increase was prevented by pretreatment with the selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol (2 mg kg(-1)), but not by the beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, butoxamine (2 mg kg(-1)). The beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, terbutaline (5.0 mg kg(-1)), produced a moderate increase in pineal melatonin content.2 Repeated daily administration of desmethylimipramine (10 mg kg(-1) for 10 days) and maprotiline (10 mg kg(-1) for 10 days), antidepressants predominantly inhibiting noradrenaline (NA) uptake, reduced the isoprenaline-induced increase in pineal melatonin content. Amitriptyline (20 mg kg(-1) for 14 days), a drug which inhibits both NA and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake, had a similar effect. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, clenbuterol (5 mg kg(-1) for 14 days), also attenuated the increase in pineal melatonin produced by isoprenaline.3 In contrast, chronic administration of the selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor, fluoxetine (10 mg kg(-1) for 10 days), or the antidepressants, iprindole and mianserin (both 20 mg kg(-1) for 14 days), which do not inhibit monoamine uptake, failed to reduce the increase in pineal melatonin following isoprenaline. Repeated electroconvulsive shock was similarly without effect.4 Ten hours after the final dose of desmethylimipramine (10 mg kg(-1)) once daily for 10 days there was no change in the usual dark phase increase in pineal melatonin.5 The data suggest that repeated administration of certain antidepressant drugs results in reduced pineal beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity. However the lack of change in the dark phase increase in pineal melatonin following repeated desmethylimipramine, implies that the reduced ss-adrenoceptor sensitivity may be part of an adaptive process which maintains normal pineal function. Therefore the decrease in beta-adrenoceptor number in the brain reported after chronic antidepressant administration may not be associated with a change in overall synaptic function.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Pharmacol

Publication Date

01/1983

Volume

78

Pages

89 - 96

Keywords

Adrenergic beta-Agonists, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Desipramine, Electroshock, Isoproterenol, Male, Melatonin, Pineal Gland, Rats, Rats, Inbred Strains, Receptors, Adrenergic, Receptors, Adrenergic, beta