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Inhibitory effect of ritanserin on the 5-hydroxytryptophan-mediated cortisol, ACTH and prolactin secretion in humans

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Abstract

Oral administration of the serotonin (5-HT) precursorl-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 200 mg, significantly increased plasma cortisol levels in man.l-5-HTP had no significant effect on the plasma prolactin levels. A borderline effect of 5-HTP on plasma ACTH levels was found. Pretreatment with the 5-HT2/5-HT1C antagonist ritanserin (5 mg, PO, b.i.d. for 2 days) significantly inhibited 5-HTP-induced cortisol secretion. Ritanserin had no effect on the basal plasma cortisol or prolactin levels. These data are suggestive that 5-HTP stimulates cortisol secretion in man via 5-HT2/5-HT1C receptor mechanisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine and Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Myung A. Lee, J. Frank Nash, Marianne Barnes & Herbert Y. Meltzer

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  1. Myung A. Lee
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  2. J. Frank Nash
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  3. Marianne Barnes
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  4. Herbert Y. Meltzer
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Lee, M.A., Nash, J.F., Barnes, M. et al. Inhibitory effect of ritanserin on the 5-hydroxytryptophan-mediated cortisol, ACTH and prolactin secretion in humans. Psychopharmacology 103, 258–264 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244213

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