The effect of antidepressants on L-5HTP-induced changes in rat plasma corticosteroids.
The finding that L-5HTP will cause an elevation in rat plasma corticosteroids, presumably through generation of serotonin, has been utilized to evaluate the serotonin potentiating and antagonizing properties of a series of antidepressants. Fluoxetine and zimelidine were most effective in enhancing the effect of low dose (12. 5 mg/kg) L-5HTP. Agents such as chlorimipramine, viloxazine and opipramol were weakly active at potentiating L-5HTP and mianserin and dibenzepine were strong antagonists of the L-5HTP effect. Since antidepressants have been found to either potentiate or antagonize serotonin, it is difficult to envision that the antidepressants exert their therapeutic effect through serotongeric mechanisms.
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D003975:Diazepam