Effect of fluoxetine on noradrenergic mediated growth hormone release: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.
Twelve patients with DSM-III-R major depressive illness were tested for growth hormone (GH) response to desipramine (DMI), a noradrenergic (NA) reuptake inhibitor. The response is mediated by NA alpha 2 receptors. They were then randomly assigned to treatment under double-blind conditions with either fluoxetine, the highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or placebo. After 4 weeks they were retested. Fluoxetine but not placebo was effective in promoting recovery in four of the six patients treated. Patients treated with fluoxetine showed a significant decrease in DMI-mediated GH release irrespective of therapeutic outcome. This is consistent with marked alteration of NA function and raises questions as to the selectivity of fluoxetine.
O'Flynn
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Medical School, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
O'Keane
V
V
Lucey
J V
JV
Dinan
T G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D005473:Fluoxetine; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003891:Desipramine; D009638:Norepinephrine