Effects of concurrent subchronic treatments with desmethylimipramine and propranolol on beta-adrenergic and serotonin2 receptors in rat brain.

The effects of seven consecutive daily injections of desmethylimipramine (DMI 20 mg/kg) and propranolol (PRO 10 mg/kg) on 3H-dihydroalprenolol (3H-DHA) and 3H-ketanserin (3H-KET) binding in rat brain were examined. Analyses of saturation binding data using the iterative, nonlinear curve-fitting program LIGAND revealed that PRO increased, while DMI reduced, 3H-DHA binding site density in cerebral cortex without altering receptor affinity, as previously reported. DMI reduced 3H-KET binding site density without changing affinity, and PRO produced the same effect. In cerebral cortex and probably in hippocampus and striatum, DMI and PRO administered together increased the density of 3H-DHA binding sites (beta-adrenergic receptors) and reduced their affinity. This combination of drugs reduced the density of 3H-KET binding sites (5-HT2 receptors) in cerebral cortex, but did not change their affinity. These findings indicate a need for additional studies on the interactions of DMI and PRO and related drugs because of implications for the treatment of depressed patients with cardiovascular disorders.