THE INCREASE IN THE TOXICITY OF YOHIMBINE INDUCED BY IMIPRAMINE AND OTHER DRUGS IN MICE

Abstract

In mice, yohimbine appears to accentuate the normal “alarm” reactions (alerting, flight) to external stimuli. Imipramine increases this effect and at the same time converts a non-lethal dose of yohimbine into a lethal one. The effect of imipramine is greatly reduced by adrenalectomy or by treatment with reserpine, syrosingopine, ganglion-blocking drugs or adrenaline antagonists acting on sympathetic β-receptors. Hypnotic, anti-convulsant or anaesthetic agents, tetrabenazine or antagonists of 5-hydroxytryptamine do not reduce the imipramine effect. A variety of drugs which, like imipramine, are known to interfere with the tissue binding of noradrenaline also increase the toxicity of yohimbine. Yohimbine significantly reduces brain noradrenaline content; adrenal catechol amines are slightly reduced. The results suggest that yohimbine releases noradrenaline from stores or nerves as a consequence of increased central sympathetic activity. Imipramine increases the actions and toxicity of yohimbine by increasing the effects of the released noradrenaline on β-receptors. The lethal effects of a high dose of yohimbine alone are not reduced by any of the treatments tested, and appear not to result from activation of sympathetic mechanisms.