Prevention by Antidepressant Drugs of Reserpine Effect on Pyridine Nucleotide Metabolism

A variety of structurally unrelated antidepressant drugs, including both monoamine oxidase (MAO)-inhibitors and non-MAO-inhibitors, prevent the effect of reserpine on the nicotinamide-induced increase in NAD. A single injection of imipramine or iproniazid was effective when given at any time up to several days prior to reserpine. In general, compounds other than antidepressants did not prevent the reserpine effect on NAD metabolism. The ability to block the effect of reserpine on NAD metabolism correlated well with the ability to block the sedative effect of reserpine. The antidepressants did not prevent the effect of chlorpromazine on NAD level, in agreement with their lack of effect on the sedative action of chlorpromazine.