Evidence of a possible role of altered angiotensin function in the treatment, but not etiology, of depression.
BACKGROUND
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are reportedly effective in the treatment of depression; furthermore, antidepressants decrease angiotensin function. It appears therefore that reduced angiotensin function may be important in the treatment of depression. The aims of this study were to elucidate the actions of antidepressants on angiotensin receptors; to investigate the antidepressant potential of an angiotensin antagonist; and to study angiotensin receptors in depressed puerperal women.


METHODS
The effects of antidepressant drugs on angiotensin receptors and the relationship between mood and platelet receptors in puerperal women were investigated using radioligand binding. The antidepressant potential of the angiotensin antagonist losartan was assessed using the mouse forced swim test.


RESULTS
Desipramine, but neither fluoxetine nor tranylcypromine, displaced angiotensin from its receptor; however, there was no significant relationship between receptor number and depressed mood. In the forced swim test losartan was shown to possess antidepressant like activity.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that antidepressants differ in the mechanism by which they reduce angiotensin function, but the link between antidepressants and angiotensin is reiterated by the demonstration that losartan possesses antidepressant like activity. There is, however, no evidence of abnormal angiotensin receptors in women with depressed mood postpartum.
Gard
P R
PR
Faculty of Health, University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb, United Kingdom.
Mandy
A
A
Sutcliffe
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000187:drug effects*; D014191:Tranylcypromine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D005473:Fluoxetine; D000804:Angiotensin II; D014191:Tranylcypromine; D019808:Losartan; D003891:Desipramine