Differential actions of desipramine on sympathoadrenal release of noradrenaline and adrenaline.

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Abstract
Spillovers noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) into plasma were examined before and after i.v. administration of 0.3-0.5 mg kg-1 desipramine (DMI) in 19 normal volunteers. DMI decreased the total body spillover of NA by 20 +/- 4%, but increased that of A by 45 +/- 10%. The results indicate differential sympathoadrenal actions of DMI, characterized by inhibition of NA release from sympathetic nerves and stimulation of A secretion from the adrenals. These effects of DMI provide an explanation for some of the cardiovascular complications of tricyclic antidepressant therapy and may also help to explain how sympathoadrenal function is differentially regulated.