EFFECT OF SERUM-CHOLESTEROL LEVELS ON META-CHLOROPHENYLPIPERAZINE-EVOKED NEUROENDOCRINE RESPONSES IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that serum cholestero l levels might be associated with serotonergic receptor function, The participants were 10 healthy male subjects. After an overnight fast, t he subjects received meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) or identical placebo capsules orally in a randomized double-blind, cross-over desig n. Blood was obtained for measurement of prolactin, cortisol, adrenoco rticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cholesterol. There were some significa ntly positive correlations between serum cholesterol levels and hormon al responses to m-CPP administration, These results suggest that serum cholesterol levels may be positively associated with serotonergic rec eptor function. (C) 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry.