3H-Rauwolscine binding in platelets from depressed patients and healthy volunteers.
3H-Rauwolscine binds specifically and with high affinity to alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human platelets. In a study comparing the binding of 3H-rauwolscine in platelets obtained from 26 control volunteers with 19 hospitalised, untreated, severely depressed patients, the mean maximal binding (Bmax) and mean dissociation constant (Kd) of 3H-rauwolscine binding were found to be identical in both groups. After 7-12 days, treatment with different tricyclic antidepressant drugs there was a significant improvement in the depressive symptoms but no change in the 3H-rauwolscine binding. After an average of 23 days treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, and when the Hamilton Depression Rating Scores had returned to normal, the Kd and Bmax of 3H-rauwolscine binding were still unchanged.
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001665:Binding Sites; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014316:Tritium; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000378:metabolism*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014316:Tritium; D015016:Yohimbine