Reboxetine acutely stimulates cortisol, ACTH, growth hormone and prolactin secretion in healthy male subjects

Abstract In this single-blind study the effects of acute oral administration of the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor reboxetine on the cortisol (COR), ACTH, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion were examined in 12 healthy male volunteers. In a randomized order, the subjects received placebo or reboxetine (4 mg) at 0800 h on two different days. After insertion of an intravenous catheter, blood samples were drawn 1 hour prior to the administration of placebo or reboxetine, at time of administration, and during the time of 5 hours thereafter at periods of 30 minutes. Serum concentrations of COR, GH, and PRL as well as plasma levels of ACTH were determined in each blood sample by means of double antibody RIA, fluoroimmunoassay and chemiluminescence immunometric assay methods. The area under the curve (AUC) value was used as parameter for the COR, ACTH, GH, and PRL response. Using t -tests for paired samples, statistical analysis revealed significant stimulatory effects of reboxetine on COR, ACTH, GH, and PRL secretion, compared to placebo (mean AUC values±S.E.M. (a) reboxetine: COR 127893.20±8125.75 nmol/l×min; ACTH 2385.68±387.19 pmol/l×min; GH 56026.59±15594.87 pmol/l×min; PRL 113961.60±10280.44 pmol/l×min; (b) placebo: COR 83672.19±5225.20 nmol/l×min; ACTH 1449.83±190.67 pmol/l×min; GH 9308.16±3402.75 pmol/l×min; PRL 64663.28±7283.62 pmol/l×min). Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were significantly increased by reboxetine, too. Our results suggest that besides COR, ACTH and GH secretion, the release of PRL is also under the control of the noradrenergic systems in man.