DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS IMIPRAMINE, MAPROTILINEAND BUPROPION ON INSULIN-SECRETION FROM MOUSE PANCREATIC-ISLETS

In some previous studies, acute administration of some antidepressants has been reported to cause significant changes in the levels of blood glucose and insulin in the rabbit. In the present study the effects o f several antidepressants representing classical groups of antidepress ants, namely imipramine (CAS 50-49-7, I), maprotiline (GAS 10347-81-6, M) and bupropion (CAS 34911-55-2, (B) on insulin secretion from the I solated islets of Langerhans in mice was studied. Maprotiline and bupr opion stimulated insulin release, while imipramine was without any eff ect in presence of 8.3 mmol/l glucose. On the other hand, in presence of 16.7 mmol/l imipramine and maprotiline suppressed the stimulated in sulin secretion. Bupropion inversely significantly stimulated the insu lin secretion in presence of 16.7 mmol/l glucose. It is concluded that the changes of blood glucose and plasma insulin observed in vivo may at least in part be due to respective changes of insulin secretion. Th e treatment of diabetic patients receiving antidepressant drugs with h ypoglycaemic agents should be taken in consideration.