Central effects of tricyclic compounds on the endocrine system--an in vitro study.

The present study involves the effects on corticotropin (ACTH) release of neuro- and thymoleptic tricyclic antidepressant compounds (TrcACs: chlorpromazine, promethazine, haloperidol, imipramine, amitriptyline) and their interactions with lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) and corticosterone (B). As an in vitro model, 14-day monolayer pituitary cell cultures of Wistar rats were employed. The ACTH concentrations of the supernatant media were measured by radioimmunoassay. TrcACs augmented ACTH release; their combination with LVP, however, did not result in further stimulation; moreover, when combined with TrcACs + LVP, B did not inhibit, but rather paradoxically increased their ACTH-releasing action. As none of these phenomena were followed by relevant changes in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate content, the mechanism of action may be proposed to involve a protein kinase C route.