title: Subsensitivity of human beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase after salbutamol treatment of depression.
abstract: Although numerous studies have suggested that depression may be associated with a reduction in synaptic noradrenaline in the brain, direct beta-adrenergic receptor agonist have only recently been tested in the treatement of depression. Moreover, newer theories of antidepressant action suggest that a reduction in beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity is a better correlate of antidepressant treatment than noradrenaline turnover changes. Eleven depressed patients were treated with salbutamol, a beta-2-adrenergic agonist, and beta-2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity was evaluated before, during, and after treatment. beta-Adrenergic receptor sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the plasma cyclic AMP increase after an IV dose of salbutamol. The beta-adrenergic agonist exhibited antidepressant efficacy and induced subsensitivity of the beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase with a time course paralleling the antidepressant effects. The results support the concept that receptor sensitivity changes occur during antidepressant therapy.
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D000420:Albuterol