Abstract
The influence of α-methyl tyrosine and diethyldithiocarbamate which specifically inhibit noradrenaline synthesis and the influence of p-chlorophenylalanine which inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis in the brain on the antagonism between desmethylimipramine and RO 4-1284 was studied. It was shown that both substances which inhibit noradrenaline synthesis abolish the behavioural antagonism between DMI and RO 4-1284, and p-chlorophenylalanine is without effect on this antagonism. The evidence shows that DMI antagonises the action of a benzoquinolizine derivative by the participation of adrenergic mechanisms.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Axelrod, J., Kopin, I. J.: The uptake, storage, release and metabolism of noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves. Progress in Brain Research. Vol. 31: Mechanisms of Synaptic Transmission, pp. 21–32. Amsterdam: Elsevier Publ. Comp. 1969.
Chang, C. C.: A sensitive method for spectrophotofluorometric assay of catecholamines. Int. J. Neuropharmacol. 3, 643–649 (1964).
Costa, E., Garattini, S., Valzelli, L.: Interactions between reserpine, chlorpromazine and imipramine. Experientia (Basel) 16, 461 (1960).
Domenjoz, R., Theobald, W.: Zur Pharmakologie des Tofranil [N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-iminodibenzyl hydrochloride]. Arch. int. Pharmacodyn. 120, 450 (1959).
Garattini, S., Giachetti, A., Jori, A., Pieri, L., Valzelli, L.: Effect of imipramine, amitriptyline and their monomethyl derivatives on reserpine activity. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 14, 509–514 (1962).
Glowinski, J., Iversen, L. L., Axelrod, J.: Storage and synthesis of norepinephrine in the reserpine treated rat brain. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 151, 385–399 (1966).
Halliwell, G., Quinton, R. M., Williams, F. E.: A comparison of imipramine, chlorpromazine and related drugs in various tests involving autonomic functions and antagonism of reserpine. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 23, 330–350 (1964).
Herman, Z. S.: The effects of norepinephrine on rats behaviour. Psychopharma cologia (Berl.) 16, 369–374 (1970).
- Zor, U., Boganski, D. F.: Central effects of DMI and BW 392C60, a bretylium like drug. Pharmacologist 310, Fall 1967.
Koe, B. K., Weissman, A.: p-Chlorphenylalanine: a specific depletor of brain serotonin. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 154, 499–516 (1966).
Lapin, I. P., Osipova, S. V., Uskova, N. V., Stabrovski, E. M.: Pharmacological effects of imipramine and desmethylimipramine in developing rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 14, 255–265 (1969).
- Oxenkrug, G. E.: Intensification of the cerebral serotoninergic processes as a possible determinant of the thymoleptic effect. Lancet 1969 I, 132–136.
Moore, K. E.: Behavioural effects of α-methyltyrosine administered in the diets of mice pretreated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 20, 656–657 (1968).
Rech, R. H., Carr, L. A., Moore, K. E.: Behavioral effects of α-metlryltyrosine after prior depletion of brain catecholamines. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 160, 326–336 (1968).
Scheckel, C. L.: Interaction of antidepressants with amphetamine, cocaine, α-methyl metatyrosine, and tetrabenazine. Fed. Proc. 22, 627 (1963).
—, Boff, E.: Behavioural effects of interacting imipramine and other drugs with α-amphetamine, cocaine, and tetrabenazine. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 5, 198–208 (1964).
Spector, S.: Inhibitors of endogenous catecholamine biosynthesis. Pharmacol. Rev. 18, 599–609 (1966).
Sulser, F., Bickel, M. H.: On the role of brain catecholamines in the anti-reserpine action of desmethylimipramine. Pharmacologist 4, 178 (1962).
—, Brodie, B. B.: On the mechanism of the antidepressant action of imipramine. Biochem. Pharmacol. 8, 16 (1961).
—, Dingel, J. V.: On the role of adrenergic mechanisms in the mode of action of tricyclic antidepressants. In: Antidepressants drugs of non-MAO inhibitor type, pp. 1–19. Ed.: D. H. Efron and S. S. Kety. Bethesda, Maryland: National Institute of Mental Health 1966.
—, Owens, M. L., Norvich, M. R., Dingell, J. V.: The relative role of storage and synthesis of brain norepinephrine in the psychomotor stimulation evoked by amphetamine or by desipramine and tetrabenazine. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 12, 322–332 (1968).
—, Soroko, F.: On the role of rate of brain norepinephrine release in the antibenzoquinolizine action of desimipramine. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 8, 191–200 (1965).
—, Watts, J., Brodie, B. B.: On the mechanism of antidepressant action of imipramine-like drugs. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 96, 279–286 (1962).
Vernier, V. G., Alleva, F. R., Hanson, H. M., Stone, C. A.: Pharmacological action of amitriptyline, noramitriptyline and imipramine. Fed. Proc. 21, 419 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Herman, Z.S. Studies on adrenergic mechanisms in the action of desmethyl imipramine (DMI). Psychopharmacologia 17, 234–241 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402083
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402083