Abstract
The effect of age and of imipramine treatment on cortical serotonin and β-adrenergic binding sites and on pineal N-acetylserotonin and melatonin were examined in Fischer-344 rats. Cortical serotonin-1 and -2 receptor binding was reduced by 15 and 22.5% respectively, in 24 vs. 6 months old animals. Ten single daily imipramine (10 mg/kg) injections in the aged animals resulted in reductions in both types of serotonin sites, while in adult animals significant binding reduction occurred only at the 5HT 2 site. Cortical β-adrenoceptor binding was also diminished in the aged rats. Imipramine treatment elicited a significantly greater decrease in these adrenergic sites in the aged (39.2%) than in the adult (27.6%) animals. In the pineal gland, N-acetylserotonin and melatonin content were reduced by age; imipramine treatment induced decreases in both indoles in the adult animals and a reduction in N-acetylserotonin in the aged animals. These age-related effects of imipramine on cortical serotonin receptor and β-adrenoceptor binding and on pineal indoles may be a consequence of the higher drug and metabolite (desmethylimipramine) blood and tissue concentrations which were found in the aged animals.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
