title: Platelet tritiated imipramine binding and serotonin uptake in depressed patients and controls. Relationship to plasma cortisol levels before and after dexamethasone administration.
abstract: We measured platelet tritiated imipramine binding and serotonin uptake in 51 depressed patients and 43 normal controls. Although there were no significant differences in platelet 3H-imipramine binding or serotonin uptake when the total group of depressed patients was compared with controls, depressed women (n = 32) had a significantly lower maximal density of 3H-imipramine binding sites (beta max) than control women (n = 25). Moreover, among the total group of depressed patients, there were significant negative correlations between the beta max values and plasma cortisol levels at 4 PM (n = 41) and 11 PM (n = 41) following dexamethasone administration. These negative correlations between beta max and cortisol levels were strongest among melancholic patients both at 4 PM before dexamethasone administration (n = 14) and at 11 PM after dexamethasone administration (n = 15). These data suggest that the reported decrease in beta max found among depressed patients may be related to and is perhaps secondary to the hypercortisolemia of depression.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007099:Imipramine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; C027775:imipramine receptor; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007099:Imipramine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid