Platelet adenylate cyclase responses in depression: Implications for a receptor defect

The dose-dependent stimulatory response of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) on the net synthesis of ³H-adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in platelets whose adenine nucleotide pools had been labelled by prior incubation with ³H-adenine was measured. Also, the dose-dependent inhibition produced by norepinephrine (NE) on this stimulatory process was evaluated. Platelets were obtained from eleven moderately depressed male patients and from eight non-depressed normal male control subjects. No difference was noted between the two groups of subjects either in the stimulation produced by PGE₁ or in the inhibition caused by NE. Subdividing the patients into different subgroups (e.g., bipolar or unipolar) did not produce any significant differences. This finding suggests that there is no generalized defect in alpha adrenergic responses in depressed male patients.