The influence of fenfluramine stimulation on prolactin plasma levels in lithium long-term-treated manic-depressive patients and healthy subjects.
Plasma prolactin response due to serotonergic stimulation by fenfluramine, an anorectic serotonin depletor, has been reported to be potentiated by lithium pretreatment. This finding deserves considerable theoretical interest, but has never been replicated. Therefore, the hPRL excretion pattern after 60 mg fenfluramine orally was examined in eight euthymic manic-depressive patients under long-term lithium medication, and in nine healthy subjects. A fenfluramine-induced stimulation of hPRL release was observed exhibiting marked sex differences. However, no potentiating effects of lithium could be found. The results are discussed within the frame of putative effects of lithium long-term treatment onto serotonergic neurosystems in male and female subjects.
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors
D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin; D008094:Lithium