Fenfluramine: long-term reduction in brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine)

Eur J Pharmacol. 1976 Jan;35(1):211-4. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(76)90318-6.

Abstract

A single oral dose of 15 mg/kg of fenfluramine reduced the level of serotonin in rat brain to 48, 51 and 63% of control at 1, 15 and 30 days, respectively, after administration. 3 mg/kg p.o. of the drug caused a smaller but significant diminution in brain serotonin. At the 3 mg/kg dose level, the decreases in serotonin were, at least partially, cumulative following multiple injections spaced 24 hr apart. Brains removed 14 days after the 5th daily injection of 5 mg/kg p.o. of fenfluramine had only 60% of the concentration of serotonin found in brains from control animals. These findings demonstrate that fenfluramine has a long-lasting action on serotonin-containing neurons in brain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Depression, Chemical
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Fenfluramine / pharmacology*
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Fenfluramine
  • Serotonin
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine