Effect of amitriptyline on endocrine responses to intravenous L-tryptophan.
The endocrine responses to the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) precursor, L-tryptophan, were assessed in 10 depressed patients before and after at least 4 weeks of treatment with amitriptyline. Overall, amitriptyline did not alter either prolactin or growth hormone responses to L-tryptophan. When three subjects with severe pretreatment weight loss were excluded, however, the remaining seven patients showed a significant increase in the prolactin response to L-tryptophan, consistent with other published studies. The findings suggest that severe recent weight loss may alter the effects of tricyclic antidepressants on 5HT-mediated prolactin release.
Cowen
P J
PJ
Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, United Kingdom.
McCance
S L
SL
Gelder
M G
MG
Grahame-Smith
D G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010556:Personality Tests; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D014364:Tryptophan; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
D000639:Amitriptyline; D014364:Tryptophan; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone