The effect of neuroleptics on imipramine demethylation in rat liver microsomes and imipramine and desipramine level in the rat brain.

A study of the cytochrome P-450 level and imipramine (IMI) demethylase activity in liver microsomes of rats treated concurrently with IMI and chlorpromazine (CPZ) or IMI and chlorprothixene (CPX) for two weeks were carried out. Concomitant administration of IMI and CPZ or IMI and CPX elevated the cytochrome P-450 level and accelerated IMI demethylation in in vitro study. Kinetic study of IMI demethylation carried out in the absence or in the presence of CPZ or CPX revealed that those neuroleptics inhibited IMI demethylation via competitive mechanism. Simultaneously with the enzymatic study the brain level of IMI and its demethylated metabolite desipramine (DMI) was assessed. It was found that 1 hr after withdrawal of IMI and CPZ or IMI and CPX the brain level of IMI was elevated in comparison with that of IMI treated animals, and the ratio between DMI/IMI brain concentration was decreased. When the assessment of IMI and DMI brain level was performed 24 hr after withdrawal of IMI and CPZ or IMI and CPX, there was no difference between the concentration of IMI and DMI in both, experimental and control animals.