title: Brain serotonin (5-HT) neuroendocrine function in patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.
abstract: Brain serotonin (5-HT) neuroendocrine function, plasma tryptophan, and platelet 5-HT content were examined in 20 patients treated in a lipid clinic for hypercholesterolaemia with combined drug and diet therapy and in 20 healthy matched controls. Treatment had produced a substantial decrease in total cholesterol concentrations in the patients, but they still had higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels than control subjects. The patients were somewhat more depressed than controls but did not differ from them in degree of hostility, free or total plasma tryptophan, or prolactin response to 30 mg of d-fenfluramine. This study does not reveal evidence of abnormal brain 5-HT neuroendocrine function in hypercholesterolaemic patients receiving cholesterol-lowering medications and diet.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Delva
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cowen
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin